NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS: A guide for the new year

I only started seriously considering New Year's resolutions in December 2023. Do you believe in them? Well, I do, and it is okay not to.

There is so much excitement from Christmas until New Year's Eve, and it is easy to get caught up and forget to plan for the year ahead. It may not make sense, and you may choose to go with the flow, but the saying "He who fails to plan, plans to fail" is particularly relevant when planning for the new year.

If you are wondering how to plan for the year ahead, don't worry; I'm here to assist you in my little way. (wink wink).

• by fasting

• by praying

• by writing everything you want from the new year and submitting to God (a prayer board)

Amidst the thrill, a good plan is not so bad.🤷🏽‍♀️

The Purpose of Fasting

Fasting is abstaining from pleasing the flesh to feed the soul/spirit. It is a sacrifice. A temporary effect to see a permanent impact. Matthew 4:4 says, "Man must not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God". Many scriptural references are asking us to fast to build our relationship with God amidst other benefits, which include;

• clarity and discernment

• humility

• repentance and increased communion with God.

Your goals and intentions should be clear when preparing for a new year fast. Choose what you want from the fast and the type of fast you want to do, prepare physically and emotionally. Don’t look gloomy or like you are suffering(Matthew 6: 16-17). Get someone to keep you accountable.

We may have our plans, but ultimately, it is important to walk in alignment with His will and purpose for our lives.

During your fast, you can journal and reflect, pray and meditate, read your Bible, or watch sermons to gain clarity. While it is your choice, I highly recommend you do them.

Sometime in 2023, I experienced emotional burnout and just wanted to cry. My friend advised me to fast for three days. After that fast, I did not feel the same again. I did all three steps above to get clarity, and God gave me peace and discernment. This is just one of the many anecdotes I have about the power of fasting.

The Prayer Board

Yes, some call it the vision board, but my friends and I decided to call it a prayer board for 2025.

We broke it down into different aspects of life and wrote what we want from God in those aspects in 2025.

Creating a prayer board, whether physically or virtually, has the same effect. It serves as a reminder to pray consistently and count your blessings.

They are both good ways to kickstart your year. While I emphasise fasting for the new year, I encourage you to imbibe it into your regular spiritual routine.

Fasting can transform, renew and position you for a year of growth, guidance and fulfilment.

I wish you the best year yet filled with alignment and guidance.