Why I'm done with New Year resolutions

I didn't bother with new years resolutions this year... well ... I'm pretty sure I didn't ... if I did, I can't remember what they were. But I did have four words that would become my prayer for the year. When people asked me what they could pray for me, my response was simple.

Intimacy
Increase
Integrity
Innovation

( It's not really something I shared with everyone, just a small number who I knew really would commit to faithfully praying for me)

Intimacy with Jesus. A deeper, more personal intimacy with the one who knows me better than I know myself.

Increase, an increased measure of Gods Spirit in my life. An an increase of His Kingdom come, here on earth as in heaven in my life.

Integrity. A character trait I admire and respect in others, and one I see compromised so often, sadly! Its something I value, and something I desire, so I pray for it.

Innovation. Others have told me I have a creative a streak, and I think out of the box, so I've taken something, a strength that others have identified in me and I prayed into it.

And throughout 2013, I've been challenged, encouraged and grown in these areas. And time and time again, as I have prayed ever so simply, God has blown me away with his faithfulness. He's spoken so clearly at various times through his word, through his people  and as I have just sat in the quiet. It's been like this personal little thing between him and I that just leaves me in awe at times.

Like earlier this year when we had a week of 24/7 prayer in our church, and the youth of our corps had an all night of prayer. One of the leaders led us through a time of praying for each other. It was an exercise in listening to God and praying by his leading, and when it was my turn to be prayed for, without knowing who he was praying for (because of the way the exercise happened only i and the leader knew the prayers at that time were for me) without knowing my words, one of the young people simple prayed "Lord I pray increase!" So much affirmation, confirmation in that prayer, like God was saying, I hear you, I hear your prayer!

He's so good like that!

Recently the word influence has been swimming around in my mind. I'm not sure yet if I'll add that to my list in 2014, or whether I may narrow down to one word, I'll see what happens. But what I do know is that I am done with new years resolutions. Because all I've ever experienced with those bad boys, as good as the intent, is failure. Maybe it's a simple lack of self discipline. The point is, for me, focusing my prayer life in 2013 to intimacy, increase, integrity and innovation has been richly rewarding, deeply challenging and life changing and I am better for it.

I came across this oneword 365 website reading an article in 'She Loves' this week and thought it was worth sharing because I think there is merit in focusing like this.

I believe any word we choose to focus on, whether it be a desire, action, characteristic, feeling, must be birthed in prayer, and committed to prayer. Not just a word that seems like a good idea at the time. Because the best word to spend a year focusing on and praying about will come from the one who knows you better than you know yourself.

So, I dunno ...  how about forgetting the new year resolutions, and spending some time seeking God for a word, or two ... or 4 (there really are no rules), that you can focus on in 2014. Words that you can focus on in your times of prayer, words that develop greater intimacy between you and your heavenly Father. 

I'm not stopping with the word/s either, I'm asking God for a verse, a promise from his word to take me through 2014.

I'd love to hear how you are planning to head into 2014 - what one word resonates with you? Is there a promise from Gods word that you are taking into 2014? Come on, Share it in the comments below :)

Praying Intimacy, Increase, Integrity and Innovation for you as you seek God and head into 2014.

SamMe.