It’s not only a new month but a New Year – AND time for a brand new 5-Day Worship Challenge! Being a time that we typically look back at the past year and look forward to what’s ahead, let’s use that contemplation to fuel our worship.
In Psalm 92:1-2 we’re encouraged,
“It is good to give thanks to the LORD And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning And Your faithfulness by night.”
This verse is obviously speaking of the start and finish of a day, but I think that urging is quite fitting as we begin a new year and put another to bed as well. So spend some time over your 5 days looking back at the year behind and writing out where God’s faithfulness was evident. I know this could be a long list, but don’t rush it. Ask God to open your eyes to His hand at work over the past year, and make a note of each thing He brings to mind. It might help to think of different areas of your life – personal, spiritual life, family, relationships, health, job, etc. Make sure that you don’t interpret that God was faithful only when things went as you hoped. But God’s faithfulness also carries us, protects us, teaches us, and guides us (and lots of other things) in the times of struggles or disappointments. Then spend time thanking God for those specific times of faithfulness and worshiping Him for who He was to you in those times.
Also spend time proclaiming His lovingkindness as you look into the year ahead. Think through each of the different areas of your life again, and write out prayers inviting God’s movement in each of them. Thank Him for His future faithfulness and worship Him for who you know He will be in the year ahead. Again, don’t rush this. Seek God’s wisdom and insight for how He might want you to be praying and moving ahead in different areas. And worship Him that He is who He says He is – past, present, and future!
You can divide the five days up into some days focusing on the past year and some on the new year – OR you could take a different area of your life each of the 5 days to consider the past/present/future. However you’re motivated the best.
It’s my hope and prayer that this worship challenge will help each of us to recognize God’s hand in our lives and invite Him into our future . . . with thanksgiving, praise, and worship along the way.
I hope this challenge is helpful! Blessings to you as you begin the New Year!
How has this worship challenge helped your perspective of your past year or year ahead?
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