6 Powerful Prayers for the New Year

Step boldly into the new year with prayer. While New Year’s resolutions traditionally take center stage this time of year, claim these verses over your home and offer these prayers to God to ground yourself firmly in Him. He knows what the new year holds and He wants to hold you through each and every day. 

1. A Prayer About Looking Ahead

Scripture:

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. 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.” – Philippians 3:13-14 

Prayer:

Father, thank You for another year. As I step into 2023, please help to keep my focus on You and the plans You have for me this year. Life moves forward and I don’t want to spend mine looking backwards. Gently reveal to me the areas from my past I need to release to you so that I may more boldly and confidently step into this new year. I want my thoughts and actions to reflect your plans for my life. Amen.

2. A Prayer for the Hurting

Scripture:

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-24 

Prayer: 

Father, while so many people celebrate the beginning of a new year, I admit I am overwhelmed and hurting. Some days I carry the weight of this world in my gut and it steals my breath. Thank You for intimately navigating me through these days with a compassion that I cling to like a wool cloak in a blizzard. I know I will not be lost in these white-out conditions of grief and suffering because Your love faithfully finds and leads me through each and every day. Amen.

3. A Prayer for God’s Leadership

Scripture: 

“Moses said to the Lord, ‘You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.’ The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” – Exodus 33:12-14

Prayer: 

Lord, I need you to go before me. I ask You to keep teaching me Your ways and showing me how to follow You. Don’t let me out of Your sight. Meet with me. Draw me close. Ground my roots deep in Your word, in Your guidance, your grace, your favor, your peace, your rest–All of You! You know the intimate details of the obstacles and challenges my family faces, long before I do. I can not lead my family through this year without You. Thank You for the promise of Your presence. Amen.

4. A Prayer for Spiritual Growth

Scripture:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

Prayer:

Jesus, as I turn my thoughts towards the upcoming day, week, month and year, remind me to keep abiding in You. I confess that I sometimes get distracted by all I have to do in the day-to-day routine of living. When I get caught up in all of those things, please give me a soft nudge and invite me to focus on You instead. You care more about who I am becoming rather than what I am doing. And my heart’s desire is to become more and more like You. Help my choices reflect that this year. Amen.

5. A Prayer for an Increase in Trust

Scripture:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6 

Prayer: 

Father, I know this verse by heart. But, I confess KNOWING the words and PRACTICING them are two different things. When I am stressed, I still try and figure things out on my own. I sometimes forget to look to You first and trust You, like completely trust You. Father, I thank You for your patience with me. Please help me to commit to the practice of submitting to You and Your path for me each and every day. Lead me to trust you more and more this year. Amen. 

6. A Prayer for the Worried Heart

Scripture:

“God is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t worry.” – Deuteronomy 31:8 (The Message)

Prayer:
Father, I am worried about this year. You know what I am facing. I am scared and I know I won’t be able to make it through without You. Thank You for going ahead of me. Thank You for standing beside me and for Your promise to never leave me. When I start to feel overcome with worry and fear, I hold on to your promises and know You will lead me through the road ahead. Please replace my worried thoughts with the truth of Your word. You are going ahead of me. You are right beside me. You won’t leave me. And because of that I don’t need to worry. Amen.

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As a writer and speaker, Lisa’s heart beats for encouraging women, supporting parents in their role as a child’s first and best teacher, and pointing people to Jesus. Lisa lives in north Atlanta, with her husband of 25+ years, Clay, and their two daughters, Emerson and Ellery.  To learn more, follow Lisa on Instagram, visit her website or order her devotional, Simplifying Rest.