Prayers for the New Year

When we contemplate a new year starting, it's common to begin thinking about the resolutions we have for ourselves and what we would like to pursue thanks to this "clean slate." We can choose where to set our goals of how many cups of water we want to drink each day, how often we'd like to exercise, and the number of books we're aiming to read before the following January. Yet, as we all know, much of life is not in our grasp of control—which is where faith comes in. And we offer these New Year prayers to help you refocus your faith and trust in God in 2023!

Many people write down New Year's resolutions. Another popular commemoration of the turn of the calendar involves choosing one specific word to focus on throughout the next twelve months (such as "abundance," "hospitality," "courage," etc.). Normally, these resolutions and words revolve around making better choices and being purposeful with the way we spend our time. However, it's not always easy to maintain our momentum as life gets chaotic and disrupts our carefully-curated plans. So, what's the answer? Prayer.

Frequent prayer is already a significant, impactful New Year's resolution in and of itself (1 Thessalonians 5:17 does instruct us to "pray without ceasing," after all). Prayer brings us closer to God and forces us to become comfortable with fully relying on Him and not being in control ourselves—instead, having peace in His omnipotence. This intentional spiritual habit is also transformative by its very nature.

Praying provides moments to appreciate our blessings, as well as consider our aspirations. Our time in prayer also encourages us to reflect on where we have been immoral and wrong, feel God's grace and mercy, and ask for His guidance in every step of our days/lives. And what could be better than prioritizing this conscious practice as we start the new year? These New Year's prayers are sure to inspire you and help grow your faith in 2023!

Prayer 1:

"Dear God, Thank You that You make all things new. Thank You for all that You've allowed into our lives this past year, the good along with the hard things, which have reminded us how much we need You and rely on Your presence filling us every single day. We pray for Your Spirit to lead us each step of this New Year. We ask that You will guide our decisions and turn our hearts to deeply desire You above all else. We ask that You will open doors needing to be opened and close the ones needing to be shut tight. We ask that You would help us release our grip on the things to which You’ve said 'no,' 'not yet,' or 'wait.' We ask for help to pursue You first, above every dream and desire You’ve put within our hearts. In Jesus’ Name, Amen." — Debbie McDaniel

Prayer 2:

"Lord, thank You for the people You have divinely placed in my life who speak holy truth, love and words of wisdom. Give me a heart of discernment to know when You are using someone to speak instruction into my heart and my circumstances, and give me the strength and courage to follow through with that advice, even when it’s hard. Fill me with peace in knowing that even if I take a wrong turn, Your purpose will prevail. In Jesus’ Name, Amen." — Tracie Miles

Prayer 3:

"In this new year, breathe in me O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen." — St. Augustine of Hippo

Prayer 4:

"Lord, help me not to lean on my own understanding but in everything acknowledge You so that You can direct my words, thoughts, and actions. In Jesus’ Name, Amen." — Sharon Glasgow

Prayer 5:

"Behold, Lord, an empty vessel that needs to be filled. My Lord, fill it. I am weak in the faith; strengthen me. I am cold in love; warm me and make me fervent, that my love may go out to my neighbor. I do not have a strong and firm faith; at times I doubt and am unable to trust You altogether. O Lord, help me. Strengthen my faith and trust in You. In You I have sealed the treasure of all I have. I am poor; You are rich and came to be merciful to the poor. I am a sinner; You are upright. With me, there is an abundance of sin; in You is the fullness of righteousness. Therefore I will remain with You, of whom I can receive, but to whom I may not give. Amen." — Martin Luther

Prayer 6:

"Today's a new day, a chance for a new start. Yesterday is gone and with it any regrets, mistakes, or failures I may have experienced. It's a good day to be glad and give thanks, and I do, Lord. Thank you for today, a new opportunity to love, give, and be all that you want me to be." — Rebecca Barlow Jordan

Prayer 7:

"Heavenly Father, I long for You more than gold or silver. Nothing else could ever satisfy my soul. Reorient my affections toward You and what You choose to provide. May my nearness to God be my Chief Good. Show me the beauty of Your holiness so that in worshiping Your loveliness, I exalt You. Empower me to enjoy You so that the universe marvels in amazement at how fulfilling You are. Silence all the clamoring of false lovers of the soul who would seek my attention. I want to worship You with everything I am, with undivided adoration. Give me a heart for You. A constant longing after You. Incite within me a deep passion for You.” — Bob Kelleman

Prayer 8:

"When evil darkens our world, give us light. When despair numbs our souls, give us hope. When we stumble and fall, lift us up. When doubts assail us, give us faith. When nothing seems sure, give us trust. When ideals fade, give us vision. When we lose our way, be our guide! That we may find serenity in Your presence, and purpose in doing Your will." — John D. Rayner

Prayer 9:

"O heavenly Father, in whom we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray thee so to guide and govern us by Thy Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget thee, but may remember that we are ever walking in thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." — The Book of Common Prayer

Prayer 10:

"I am no longer my own, but Yours.
Put me to what You will, place me with whom You will. Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be put to work for You or set aside for You, praised for You or criticized for You.
Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and fully surrender all things to Your glory and service.
And now, O wonderful and Holy God, Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, You are mine, and I am Yours. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it also be made in heaven. Amen." — John Wesley