Thoughts on Goal-Setting and a New Year's Prayer

As I sat through the video portion of the Experiencing God Bible study, I heard author Henry Blackaby say something I've never forgotten. He mentioned that he shied away from setting goals, fearful that he'd meet them and completely miss what the Father had planned for him.



That thought bears contemplation as we sit down today to make our goals and resolutions for the new year. Consider the following verses:



Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” ~James 4:13-15 (NASB)

And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?" ~Luke 9:23-25 (NASB)



Since we have voluntarily given control of our lives over to our Creator, Master, Savior, and King, our lives are no longer our own. We've been bought with a price, and He is the One who has management of our lives. Any plans we make or goals we set need to be forged in light of this truth and in accordance with His will. Pray over your goals. Make sure they align with His will rather than your own. It truly is a matter of life and death.



Heavenly Father,



As we begin this New Year, may we be ever mindful throughout the year to seek Your face more quickly than we seek Your hand and Your will rather than our own. May we set aside our plans and goals and agendas in favor of Your perfect plan for our lives.



Thank You that our lives are directed by You and Your Holy Spirit, that our times are in Your hand, that all our days were ordained by You and recorded in Your book before one of them came to be.



Lord, we long for more of You this year. Make our heart's greatest desire to know You more. Remind us often that Your Spirit flows from us and splashes onto those around us. Make us mindful that we are Your ambassadors in hostile territory. Help us to bear Your name gladly and well. We ask that You set a guard over our lips when our human side wants to vent and complain, yet open our mouths to boldly proclaim the good news so that all may have the opportunity and joy of knowing You.



Life on this earth seems more tenuous and frightening than ever. Help us lean on You in complete faith. Remind us that Your presence surrounds us in protection, but also goes ahead to pave the way. Thank You that You are already in tomorrow. Stay our minds on You. Still our anxious thoughts with an awareness of Your sovereignty and power. Show us how to better focus our thoughts on those things that please You and bring peace and direction to our lives.



How grateful we are to be Your children--not based on our own goodness or works--but based entirely on Your truly amazing grace. May we brightly shine Your light in a dark place.



Lord, our country and our leaders need You in their lives. Rather than complain about all we see that is wrong, bring us to our knees in intercession. Make Yourself known to these men and women in power. Help them to seek You. As has always been the case, You are our only hope.



We are so blessed. Open our eyes to see the blessing of the here and now. May we be quick to offer prayers of thanksgiving for the many blessings You've bestowed upon us. We pray all these things in the precious and powerful and holy name of Jesus, Amen.