I told God that this year my main goals are to grow closer to Him and strengthen my prayer life.
I’ve made vision boards for the last nine years but this year I made a prayer binder. Last year I spent my quiet time reading sections of the Bible in my one-year Bible every morning and finished my goal of reading the entire book six weeks early. This year I spend my quiet time reading and praying. God has been answering prayers left and right. I am getting more direction, hearing Him clearer, and the biggest change is that I have WAY less anxiety! I am always hearing myself say, “We’ll take things one thing at a time.” Or “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.” Why? Because I know God has it all under control and all planned out. He has all the provisions and His plans for me (and my family) are good! I’ve known this for years but now my faith is overcoming my fears and it is freeing! This has come with some warfare but that is to be expected.
I share all of this not to brag about me praying or anything like that because I am no better than any other believer. And it’s certainly nothing to brag about because we all should be committing to prayer. I share this because I’m being transformed every day by just committing a small portion of my day to only Him that is deeper than just a 5-minute reading from a devotional (which there is nothing wrong with but you have got to eventually partake in more) and then on my way for the day. I’m praying and then listening. Not just giving God word vomit and then hoping for the best.
Think of the change something as small as picking up your Bible before your phone every morning can make. Think of the change that having a conversation with God – being quiet and listening to Him – can make. Try it. I promise, you won’t regret it.