As we forward, wondering what God has for us this new year, what experiences we might encounter and what new lessons we will learn, let’s consider what the Bible has to say about it and remember that God is in control, that we are His children and that He knows the plans He has for us.
It also enables us to leave the past where it belongs, not to forget what has taken place but to learn from it and move into the future with opened hearts and minds to receive whatever God has for us.
We pray that 2022 will be a year of:
New Beginnings: Start the New Year with mind and heart open to wherever the Lord may take you with full assurance that He is with you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)
New Possibilities: There’s no limit to what God can do in your life and nothing is impossible with God. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13)
New Plans: Be open to what God has planned for you and be willing to walk by faith in obedience as you follow Him. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
New Purpose: God always has a plan and a purpose for you and you can trust Him completely. Let the wise also hear and gain in learning, and the discerning acquire skill, (Proverbs 1:3)
New Provisions: We should not worry about the future. Trust in God who knows everything you need, who is your God and your Provider. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. (Matthew 6:25-30)
New Wisdom: With new experiences come new wisdom and insight. Make it a priority to seek out wisdom. Get wisdom, and whatever else you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honour you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a fair garland; Proverbs 4:7-9)
Renewed Peace: As you go through new experiences and new adventures, both good and bad, keep your eyes fixed on Christ and He will give you rest and peace. He is our peace; take courage; I have conquered the world! (John 16:33)
Give thanks to God for his constant presence with us through another year as we look forward to what He has in store for us in 2022, and praise Him because He is always faithful.
