Photo I took of a bit of our backyard in the snow, 12/2025
Verse To Abide In
“and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,”
Ephesians 4:23 ESV
From The Heart
For several years now, I have written out New Year prayers. I find the activity to be a renewal of the spirit of my mind. First, submitting to God’s authority as my King—evaluating and cleaning out anything that doesn’t belong, any bad thought patterns or habits, confessing sin, searching Scripture, searching my heart, asking God to search my heart… Then I ask God if there is a specific area in me that he wants to renew.
A couple of years ago, my mentor Linda gave our small group the idea of choosing one or two (or three or four) words that could be a goal for the new year to bring before the Lord and remember through the year. The last few years, my words have been trust, abide, and praise. This year, right now, I have been praying about change (inside and out), humility, faith, and praise.
Any words come to mind for you this new year?
Let's Pray
Our Father in heaven, Holy is your name. We think about your greatness. We meditate on you. We express our wonder at you right here, right now. May we be like little children, coming to you in excitement at getting to be with you! Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We rest in you. We dwell in your shelter, Most High; we rest in the shadow of you, the Almighty (Matthew 6:9–10; Psalm 91:1).
We humble ourselves under your mighty hand that we may be lifted up to serve you all the more. We cast our cares on you, giving thanks that you care for us (1 Peter 5:6–7). In this posture of humility, we ask for wisdom (James 1:5)—and in light of your wisdom, we request, we ask, we pray for… Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts (forgive me for…), as we have forgiven our debtors (help me to forgive…). Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Help us to continue to put off the old self and to be renewed in the spirit of our minds, to put on the new self, created after the likeness of you, God, in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22–24). For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Amen! (Matthew 6:11–13)
“Connect Me”
Much of the writing of this song was in meditation on Ephesians 4…