The Privileged Life: How You Can Pray for 2024

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:6)

Whew—2023 has evaporated! Twelve months have gone by, and it seems like we just had black-eyed peas and ham on New Year’s Day. 

The tipping point between years gives us pause to look back and look ahead. What was good? What went wrong? How did we grow? What do we want to do better? What are our new resolutions?

Evaluation is well and good, but I encourage you to also use this pivotal point in time to stand in the gap—and pray. 

You and I need to talk with God every day about our plans and wishes, but He gives us greater perspective on HIS plans when we specifically ask for His wisdom and guidance for the coming year. 

Start by finding a very quiet place at a quiet hour. You can be alone with your Savior, or you could join hands with a loved one and pray together in harmony. Before you begin, think about the events in the world and in your personal life from the past year. How have you seen God’s faithfulness to you in bringing you joy? Or, how have you seen God’s difficult work in your heart through hard moments? 

Bring your blessings and heartaches to Him. Bring your eager anticipation and troubling worries about the new year. Rest in the reassurance that He hears your prayers when you genuinely seek His presence and ask according to His will…even if He answers “no” at times.

Not sure exactly how to pray? One easy method is ACTS: adore Him with praise, confess your sins to Him, thank Him for His blessings and forgiveness, and send Him your requests. 

You’ll find good company among the psalmists when you pray honestly. Sift through the Psalms, and pull out phrases that resonate with your own heart. Speak the words aloud as your own prayer. Close your time by asking for God’s aid in the powerful name of Jesus Christ.

Here’s an example for you, based on Psalm 145 and other Scriptures; you can modify this for your own situation.

May God bless you richly with His strength, courage, perseverance, and happiness as you seek to follow Him and serve His kingdom in 2024:

Heavenly Father, I come in adoration for who You are—powerful, merciful, creative, wise, and loving. Lord, Your greatness is unsearchable, and all of Your mighty works will praise You—they shall utter the memory of Your goodness to me and shall sing of Your righteousness. You are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, full of tender mercies, good to all. As I meditate on Your faithfulness in 2023, help me declare the glorious majesty of Your everlasting kingdom to the next generation. I extol You, my King, for what You will perform in my life in 2024. 

Jesus, my Savior, You uphold all who fall…You raise up all who are bowed down. I have seen Your hand on my life through the up-and-down days. You have crowned the year with Your steadfast love and goodwill, in spite of my selfishness and failures. Forgive me for my multitude of sins—fear, confusion, pride, hasty words, anger, frustration, and so much more. Ferret out and destroy all wickedness in my heart that separates me from You. Wash me clean through Your blood. I claim Your promise that You have paid my debt in full and prepared a place in Your heaven for me.

Holy Spirit, thank You for opening Your hand to fulfill the desire of those who fear You; You also hear their cry and save them. You have promised to be near to all who call upon You in truth. Thank You for Your constant presence in every season of my life, for comforting me and sheltering me even as storms have battered me. How I worship and praise You for preserving my life to this moment, for all the blessings You have bestowed upon me. I specifically thank you for…(list).

Lord, even as You give me food in due season, please give me a renewed hunger for Your word. Fill me with Your gifts, and inspire me to share them with others. Take me into new arenas to bring Your good news to the lost, to offer Your living water to thirsty souls. Make me strong to stand against the temptations that assault me. Grant me good health, so that I may serve You with renewed energy. Give me greater appreciation for my family and friends, and remind me to tell them more often how much I love them. Heal the nations at war, and remove all contention from my heart so that I may be a peacemaker. Show me what projects to prioritize and which ones to set aside...grant me wisdom from Your infinite resources. Help me to always look expectantly to You and learn in 2024 how to follow You more closely. Please help me to accomplish (specific goals) in the coming year…according to Your will for me, in Your perfect timing.

Let Your rod and Your staff continue to comfort me. May my cup run over with Your love and steadfast grace. Surely Your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days ahead, and let me dwell with You in Your house forever. In the majestic name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

© Copyright 2023 Nancy C. Williams, Lightbourne Creative (text and photography). Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. #prayerfor2024 #prayingScriptures #newyearsresolutions #newyearsday #newyearstraditions #prayingthroughpsalms