To kick off the New Year, I had an opportunity to teach this week at my church to a group of ladies near and dear to my heart – our MOMS group. Through a series of conversations, God had led me to speak on Coming Alive! Discovering Your Purpose – specifically addressing the question: how do dreamers pray?

The ladies were so attentive, and I felt the message encouraged the women as they considered what would lead them to “come alive,” reaching out to the needs of others, and to give God the most glory. Addressing that their first priority is in their role as wives and moms, but if they could do anything, what would it be? What energizes them? I was blessed to hear how God was working in unexpected ways as several ladies shared with me the desires God had given them to reach the needs of others. God planted in them creative ideas like leading a Bible study in an apartment complex to those who can’t travel, offering pet therapy for those who are sick, and even simply sharing the gospel with a friend.

The ideas or goals that these ladies shared will take time to complete… some may take more time than the twelve months of 2012. I’d like to encourage you, along with them, to write down your goals, your desires in a form of a prayer that could lead you on a journey of adventure.

This challenge came from my own experience; as I was preparing for my talk this week, I was actually looking for something else, and I found a prayer card of commitment. On the card I had written a prayer that I had a desire to create a prayer journal. The bummer is I did not date the card, but it was in my handwriting that I had in high school or college. Amazed that God had led me to find this card, I challenged the ladies to do the same – but put the date on it!

The nice thing about a new year – we do sense an opportunity to start over, or improve the quality of our lives by making better decisions. We tend to renew our commitments to improve our physical, spiritual, mental, social, vocational, and emotional well being.

I like to set goals.  A little saying that motivates me says, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit nothing.” So each year a jot down a few goals – yet some are the same ones over and over each year! “Drink more water and eat fewer sweets!”

More importantly, I like to evaluate my spiritual life; this component affects all others. As Paul the apostle said, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. ²⁷ No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:25-29). So I set goals to read more inspirational books, and participate in a Bible study. (I write it down if I have an interest in one or two in particular). But some goals are less tangible to see – to love God and people more – especially to keep in better touch with the ones I love. (With technology the way it is – you’d think I’d have time!) Again, if we are not intentional to plan – we hit nothing.

It’s only been a few days into the New Year of 2012, and I wonder how many of us are already struggling to keep our resolutions, if we set any at all. If you’re like me, you’ve already failed to keep your goals. (We had too many buckeye’s left over from Christmas! And I’ve had too little time to exercise!) Unfortunately, the important things tend to lose their priority and get pushed out of the way – when we loss focus.

So how do we stay focused? How do we stay committed to the goals we have set? We all know it is not by sure will power that we muster up enough strength to make a lifetime change in our habits. Will power may work for a little while, but for a lifetime of change – it takes a stronger power than our own.

The secret to keeping our resolutions goes back to what I believe is the greatest, yet underutilized privilege we have – and it is prayer. Prayer (talking to God – whether listening or speaking) is the secret! In and through prayer we acknowledge God’s sovereignty over our body, and we have access to the help of his Holy Spirit “who helps us in our weakness.” (Romans 8:26) Our focus needs to be on God’s power and character. Through prayer and God’s spirit, God’s Word can be applied to our lives and we are empowered to make a change – to be better people who make better choices. We work with God whose goal is for us “to be conformed to the image of his son.” (Romans 8:29)

Today’s Prayer Journal Task

Write down a prayer of commitment to God (and date it!): If you could do anything – what would it be? What would make you come alive in 2012! What are some attainable steps that you can set to reach this goal? Now enjoy the journey of discovery – which will more than likely lead you to the heart of God.

I would love to hear from you and pray with you in your journey of discovery!