Start the New Year with a Prayer

Start the year off right. Be God’s instrument. Be God’s light.

January’s Awakening, Day 1—For New Year’s Day

We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won’t need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining—they just shine.  

 —Dwight L Moody

In a world characterized by loneliness and despair, we can reach out in love to those around us. Or, as St. Francis once said, we can “preach the gospel all the time; if necessary, use words.”

 —Phil Callaway, “Making Life Rich Without Any Money”

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18–20 NIV 

            Have you resolved to make positive changes in your life for this year and beyond? Are you prepared to be God’s instrument of peace, love, forgiveness, faith, hope, light, and joy? Are you seeking first His kingdom and determined to bring as many as you are able with you?

Start this year off right. The most powerful resolution that you can make in your heart is to adopt that prayer as your mission statement for this year. Just imagine the possibilities if a multitude embraced that prayer and put it into action each day. Be a contagious Christian of the distinguished and admirable kind. God wants you and this world most certainly needs you.