New Year Prayer Conversation

New year's bring fresh starts. This year, get your family in the place you've been wanting. Get your family in a place where you can talk and pray together with a true understanding that you can bring anything and everything to God.

Family prayer time can look different through different seasons, but as you start the new year, try implementing a mealtime “Prayer Conversation” with God as a family. 

As you sit down to eat, remind your kids that God is always present and He can be a part of the mealtime conversation – just like if a friend or family member was also joining you. Let the entire mealtime focus on talking to and with God, reflecting on last year and looking forward to the upcoming year. Don’t worry if a child does not want to share. Listening to siblings and parents will also help kids focus on God. 

Start with “A Thumbs Up!”

When looking back on the previous year, what are you grateful for that God did in your lives? Reminisce, laugh and/or cry and reflect on the highlights. 

• “God, you provided us with good things!”
  We have so many good things. Try listing as many as you can in one minute. Get someone to count and then be wowed by how many good things God has blessed your family with!
• “God, you helped us through some hard times!”
  Were there any small or big ways God helped you through a hard time? Share them.
• “God, you comforted us when we were afraid or anxious!”
  Share about a time when you were afraid or anxious and God comforted you and helped you be brave.
• “God, you led us to grow closer to You!”
  We grow in our faith when God challenges us. We also grow closer to God when we spend time with Him. Share how you have grown in your faith and help your kids get in touch with the steps they have taken in their faith journey over the past year.

Try repeating God’s words back to Him as a tool for remembering what He has done!

Philippians 4:8: “From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18: “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

When you finish reflecting on the past year, say: “Thank you God for a great year!”

Let’s Go Forward!

When looking forward, what are some goals that you have as a family? It could be anything from being more patient with each other or being more physically active to serving together or saving money for a new puppy. Try to focus on Christian character traits (i.e. perseverance, discipline, forgiveness, etc.) or goals that strengthen relationships with God, each other, and your friends and extended family. 

As family members share, write them down. Keep this list somewhere you’ll see it often and pray over them during the year. Help and encourage each other towards the goals that you have set. 

• “God, one of my goals for this year is ____________ because ________________.”
• “God, some of our family goals are ______________. Give us the strength to work on these as a family.”
• “God, we need Your help with __________________.”

Connect the goals back to Scripture as a reminder of who is at the center of each goal! Memorizing the Scripture can even be a fun challenge if you’re up for it!

Ephesians 4:22-24: “Put off your old self . . . be made new in the attitude of your minds, and put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Philippians 3: 13-14: “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

As you look forward to the new year, say: “Thank you God for new beginnings. Please forgive us for the times we were not following You. Give us strength to abide in You this year. Help us be loving and kind to each other. Provide us with Your wisdom to know what You want us to focus on as a family.”

 

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