As I woke up this January 1st and pondered the year ahead, these glorious and comforting words came to mind.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:3-7
I noticed how every promise here comes from God’s action, not ours.
He is the One who showed us mercy and caused us to be born again. He gives us hope. He keeps our inheritance secure. He guards us and He refines us through trials.
I want to live in a way that reflects His power and goodness as seen in the promises of this passage.
This year, rather than making resolutions, which often end up as promises I try to keep through my own strength—I want to turn these verses into prayers, asking God to work in me what only He can accomplish.
So instead of resolutions, I am praying for the Lord to…..
- Help me remember, with awe-struck praise, the Lord’s mercy and salvation brought to me through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
- Transform me so that my life reveals, in increasing ways, the true, and abundant life He has given me.
- Give me grace, in both big and small trials, to cling to the hope of the Gospel.
- Deepen my confidence in the security of my eternal inheritance, knowing that He is keeping it and guarding me until the day my faith becomes glorious sight.
- Sustain me through trials with the confidence that He is using them to strengthen my faith and bring glory to His name.
This year, my goal is to, more and more often, choose God-dependence over self-determination, needy prayer over hasty promises, and abiding in Christ over striving in my own strength.
What about you?
What Scripture are you praying to inform your year?
We would love for you to share them!