Every year this time of year people think about their New Year resolutions.

I’m not real sure about that myself because I seem to have a hard time following through on the promises I want to make, but I do start every year with some reflection on the past year and prayer for the coming year.

With that in mind, these are my prayers for this year.

Father, teach me to number my days.  May I make the most of every moment.

Every moment with my rapidly growing children.  Every moment with my husband.  Every moment out in the world where my life is on display.  Every moment You give me to proclaim Your truths in word and in deed.

Father, please guide me in how to spend my free time.  Show me by Your wisdom and grace in how to spend those extra little moments and minutes and hours when nothing is pressing for my attention.

Father, I pray that I would remember that I have been chosen, been made a royal priest, been made holy, made your very own possession, that I would PROCLAIM the excellencies of Him (that’s YOU) who called me out of darkness into His marvelous light.  Once I was not part of God’s family, God’s people, Your people, but now I am.  Once I had not received mercy but now I have received mercy.  Now, as a sojourner and exile, I pray that I would abstain from the passions of the flesh which wage war against my soul.  I pray that I would keep my conduct among the world honorable so that when they seek to speak evil against me, they would see my GOOD deeds and glorify GOD. (1 Peter 2:9-12)

May I live my life as Yours.  Your servant.  Your slave.  Your chosen, adopted child.  Your daughter.

May I remember that my life is not my own, that I have been BOUGHT with a price.  The blood of Jesus has ransomed me from my slavery to sin.  I have become Your bond servant.  I have sold myself willingly into Your service.

But, no, it’s more than that.  I am MORE than a mere bond servant.  I have been made a daughter of the King of kings, Lord of lords, ruler supreme of the universe.

Father, please give me the strength, passion and wisdom to live boldly in the grace and power which that gives me.  May I be about my Your business, my Father’s business, today and every day.

Not by my might, nor by my power, but by Your Spirit,

TWIG