In 2016, we challenged one another to focus in on a goal each month. We memorized verses and prayed for these words to represent fruit in our lives, so that we might grow closer to Christ and act with love.
To begin our year, we prayed for purpose. We prayed that each of us would focus on our purpose here on earth, to make disciples. We focused on Colossians 3:23 and prayed that we would glorify God in everything we would do.
While many focus on romantic relationships in February, we wanted to focus on all our relationships. We prayed that Christ would be at the center of our friendships, and that we would love all those around us with the love of God. We focused on Romans 12:10, hoping to outdo one another with brotherly love.
To begin the spring, we prayed we would live with expectation. We hoped our season of Lent would be marked with active waiting for our returning Savior. We prayed Psalm 130:5-6 would be our prayer as we wait with hope.
In the spring, we wanted to simplify. Typically, our lives get a little chaotic between Easter and the summer and we wanted to take the time to focus on our one goal: to glorify God and to love our neighbors. We prayed Matthew 6:33 would reflect our lives and that we would worry less as a result of our simplification.
In May, we prayed that we would cultivate peace by sowing righteousness, based on James 3:18. We focused on working toward fruit in our lives by cultivating the things that matter.
Next we prayed for freedom. We memorized 2 Corinthians 3:17 and prayed that we would live in the freedom of the boldness of Christ—a boldness that would never fade.
By the time July comes around each year, we know we need to pray for perseverance. The summer can be beautiful and fun and exhausting. July is also just over the halfway point in our calendar year. We prayed that we may be able to persevere in the godly, righteous things we’d been praying for throughout the year. We focused on Romans 12:11-12, which talks about diligence, patience, and perseverance.
Psalm 34:8 became our prayer in August. We hoped to enjoy all the goodness of the Lord, to rejoice in Him, and to make time to savor His blessings in our lives.
We focused on being content in September. We can be content because, like Hebrews 13:5 says, He is with us. Jesus is enough and He is good and He is with us all the time. We can rest in that and find our fullness in Him.
Fall reminds us of letting things go, so in October we wanted to pray that we would release our sin and what we no longer need. We prayed that we would rejoice in the old passing away and the new coming, like 2 Corinthians 5:17 teaches.
November was a chaotic month for many of us. We knew it would be a month filled with noise, so we decided to pray for our listening skills. We prayed we’d listen to our friends, family, and neighbors, but we prayed that most of all we’d listen to the voice of our Shepherd. We focused on John 10:27, praying we would recognize the voice of Jesus.
This month, we prayed that we would be present. We often focus on a thousand things in December, but it is also the time we are most with those we love. We prayed Psalm 118:24 each day, rejoicing in the present.
We hope you, like us, have grown in Christlikeness this year through these prayers. We hope praying for release, contentment, expectation, and purpose has helped you to focus on Jesus in the midst of whatever your 2016 looked like. Thank you for praying with us this year!