With each new year, millions around the globe commit to new spiritual habits. But as that year wanes and the next approaches, we often realize we’ve stopped tending to our spiritual health. Despite our best intentions, we may feel too weighed down to change. And the cycle continues.

But it doesn’t have to. Despite the busyness and trials of life, we can enjoy true purpose and joy when we surrender ourselves to God and allow his grace to restore our hearts from the inside out. As you reflect on past obstacles, open your heart to God’s plan, and move forward with perseverance, you prepare yourself for the kingdom-advancing works God wants to accomplish through you right now.

Reflecting on Past Obstacles

The path to life-changing transformation begins with honest self-reflection powered by prayer. Before rushing to commit to new spiritual habits, pause to pray and discover what hinders what God wants to do in you. Here is a prayer to help you on this journey:

Jesus, imprint your truth deeply upon my heart. I honor your Word and believe it’s powerful enough to change everything that needs to be changed. I will meditate on your promises and tend to the garden of our love. My expectant heart will bubble over with words of faith.

From Ever Present Love by Brian Simmons and Gretchen Rodriguez

Identify Blessings and Answered Prayer

One of the greatest obstacles to spiritual renewal is a lack of gratitude. When was the last time you looked back on how God has blessed you and answered prayer? If you feel convicted, don’t hide in the shadows of shame but step into the magnificent light of God’s redeeming power. It’s easy to focus on what’s missing in life, but this robs you of the joy and strength that come from remembering how God continuously shows up. Despair breeds despair, but hope multiplies hope. Today is a new day to praise God for his glorious work.

“Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.”

Philippians 4:8 TPT

Look back on this past year and make a list of how God has blessed you and answered your prayers. Write down each everyday miracle so you can return to them when challenges cloud your thoughts and you need a reminder of God’s wonderful faithfulness.

“There is one ray of hope when I remember this: YAHWEH’s tender mercies have no end, and the kindness of his endless love is never exhausted. New, fresh mercies greet me with every sunrise. So wonderfully great is your faithfulness!”

Lamentations 3:21–23 TPT

True gratitude is a sign that we recognize the full wraparound love of YAHWEH. When we’re intimately aware of his abundant blessings and mercy, we can’t help but pursue him with all we are. As you pursue a life of overflowing gratitude, we invite you to say this prayer:

Jesus, meet with me. Wash my soul with pure love. Heal every wound and each contaminated thought that’s been poisoned by unbelief. Forgive me for doubting when you’ve proven your faithfulness many times. I invite the flames of holy love to incinerate every lie and fuel my faith afresh.

From Ever Present Love by Brian Simmons and Gretchen Rodriguez

Accept God’s Forgiveness

We all long for a new start and clean slate, but we can’t get that by excusing mistakes or pretending past sin no longer matters. Giving ourselves a free pass can’t restore us. Only God’s grace can. And the forgiveness Jesus purchased on the cross is free and available to each of us. Why bury guilt that will fester when God invites you to lay it at the cross and be washed in his mercy?

“YAHWEH promises you over and over: ‘Though your sins stain you like scarlet, I will whiten them like bright, new-fallen snow! Even though they are deep red like crimson, they will be made white like wool!'”

Isaiah 1:18 TPT

Before embracing a “new year, new me” mentality, bring your sin to Jesus, where he exchanges shame for freedom—freedom that empowers you to make things right with others and walk in righteousness. As you seek forgiveness from God and others today, consider these prayers:

Jesus, thank you for saving me and wiping away every trace of my sin. Your mercy astounds me. Your forgiveness knows no bounds. I bow before you in wonder, knowing I’m nothing without you. With all of my heart, I pray there will never be any part of me that isn’t entirely yours.

From Ever Present Love by Brian Simmons and Gretchen Rodriguez

Worthy One, I am not too proud to admit when I have been wrong. I not only look to you for restoration, but I will go further and seek forgiveness from those I have wronged. I know that this is your way.

From Wrapped in Christ by Brian Simmons

Extend Forgiveness to Others

You can’t step into the new while still carrying old wounds, and you can’t heal from what you refuse to release. Forgiving others unbinds you from the heavy chains that hold your heart captive. God forgives, and following his example isn’t optional.

If you’re struggling to forgive someone today, we encourage you to repeat this prayer as often as you need to:

Jesus, I forgive _____ (name the person). Show me where I’ve believed a lie about this situation. Help me understand what I need from you in order to fully release them and receive my healing. Show me how you see him/her and soften my heart.

From Ever Present Love by Brian Simmons and Gretchen Rodriguez

Opening Your Heart for God’s Plan

Overflowing schedules and distracted hearts keep many of us from fully pursuing God’s plans. And we get it: We’re all busy. But where you spend your time reveals what your priorities are. To open your calendar—and more importantly, your heart—to God’s plan, you must reflect on where your focus is.

“Above all, constantly seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness, then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.”

Matthew 6:33 TPT

If God is not your priority, the needed change becomes painfully obvious. Surrendering to God is the first step.

Holy God, I want to serve you more than I want to serve myself because I know there is true and lasting satisfaction in your ways.

From Wisdom from Above by Brian Simmons

Goals, even well-intentioned ones, may not be the goals God desires for you. In the excitement of new dreams, it’s easy to put your plans ahead of God’s. Are you willing to surrender your desires for what God wants?

“Those who cling to their lives will give up true life. But those who let go of their lives for my sake and surrender it all to me will discover true life!”

Matthew 10:39 TPT

We’re blessed to receive guidance from the one who knows us best and directs us toward what’s fruitful. Let God’s purposes reign over all.

Moving Forward with Perseverance

Once your heart is ready, move toward action. God has blessed his people with many daily disciplines that strengthen our faith and keep us close to him. Is God inviting you to make one of these practices a priority this year?

1. Read God’s Word: “Everyone who hears my teaching and applies it to his life can be compared to a wise man who built his house on an unshakable foundation” (Matthew 7:24 TPT).
2. Pray, Pray, Pray: “Make your life a prayer” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 TPT).
3. Continually Worship: “From now on, worshiping the Father will not be a matter of the right place but with a right heart. For God is a Spirit, and he longs to have sincere worshipers who adore him in the realm of the Spirit and in truth” (John 4:23–24 TPT).
4. Spend Time with God: “The next morning, Jesus got up long before daylight, left the house while it was dark, and made his way to a secluded place to give himself to prayer” (Mark 1:35 TPT).

These sacred disciplines are far more than items on a spiritual to-do list. While carving out space for them requires effort and commitment, the reward is undeniable. These are the essential pathways to genuine transformation for every lover of God.

“All discipline seems to be painful at the time, yet later it will produce a transformation of character, bringing a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who yield to it.”

Hebrews 12:11 TPT

Embracing Renewal

As the year closes, let reflection lead to renewal. Don’t rush past the sacred work of remembering God’s faithfulness, receiving his forgiveness, and extending grace to others. Let the Spirit align your priorities with his so you can walk with clear purpose and focus.

Now is the time to recommit your path to Yahweh. Let him lead you to his abounding grace so you can find renewed strength to say yes to his transformation every day.

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