New Year's Resolutions

Many of us approach the New Year with good intentions. "I'm going to exercise more." "I'm going to keep the house cleaner." I'm going to play with the kids more. And then sometime around March, April, or May we realize we've long forgotten those well meaning goals. Many a year, I played out this tired old tradition too.

Until last year, when I was introduced to the idea of really looking at the year in review. Taking time to thank the Lord for all the things He's blessed us with and all the lessons learned along the way. Looking back often helps you look forward too and I was introduced to the idea of a personal or family breakthrough prayer request.

If you've been around COD for a while you've likely heard about breakthrough prayer requests. These are the big ones. The out of the box desire of your heart you pray earnestly for all. year. long.

So Jon and I sat down and spent some time thinking about where we had been in 2008 and where we were headed in 2009. We came up with a family prayer for 2009. And then we prayed it. What a blessing and a challenge it was, but so very worth it!

Jon and I have already taken time to talk and pray about our 2010 Family Prayer and in HUB a couple of weeks ago we challenged everyone else to take some time to do this exercise too. We started with a time of thanksgiving and shared with one another what we were most thankful for in 2009. What an absolutely encouraging, faith building experience! Many of the thanksgivings mentioned were things we've prayed for over the years we've been meeting together. Answered prayer! Much thanksgivings!! And then from there we looked at where we'd like to go as families in 2010. And then we prayed them. Together.

And so here it is: your part. Would you take some time to do this? Ask God what he'd like you to focus on in 2010. I know He has big plans for you! And then pray it. All. Year. Long.

Don't forget to get a journal and keep record of how your prayers are answered and how they change. I know you'll have so much to be thankful for at the end of 2010.

Here's a great article (my inspiration for this post) from Pastor Ed about Not Wasting This Week - spending time looking at the year in review and thinking and praying about where you're going next year.