Often when a new year rolls around, we set goals for ourselves. Some of the most popular goals center on health, money, finances, etc. It’s important to set goals that are measurable and also to research and learn how to achieve our goals.
There is something else that is important when we focus on our goals: praying about our goals. It’s always important to seek God’s wisdom about the goals we set and also ask him if he has anything specific that we should focus on or achieve. Here are some prayers to help you get started praying over your goals this year:
General Goals
Maybe you have some general goals this year. These are goals that aren’t super specific but more of a general thing like, “I want to lose weight this year.” I think many people do this starting out because they aren’t sure about specifics yet and that’s okay.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray you will help me achieve these goals this year. Please give me your wisdom about the specifics and guide me in what you would like me to accomplish this year. In your name, I pray. Amen.
Health
Health is always a popular goal with people, and it should be. The Bible says our bodies are a temple and we are to take care of ourselves. Losing weight and other health goals like quitting alcohol or smoking, easing up on sweets, or cutting out soda are all important yet difficult goals to accomplish. Ask the Lord to guide you and help you with what you struggle with. He wants you to be healthy and will help you gain knowledge so you can overcome these issues.
Prayer: Dear Lord, you know the things I’m struggling with on this journey to good health. You know every excuse and bad habit that keeps me from getting healthier and making my body the temple it’s supposed to be. Please help me when I make excuses and eat the wrong things. Guide me to information that will help motivate me and keep me headed in the right direction. I want to get healthier and live better for you, my family, and my friends. Amen.
Money
Money is another hot goal with people for different reasons. Learning how to get out of debt and save money. Others want to learn how to make more money. Sometimes people have addictions to money (like gambling) that they want to overcome, and others strive to save money for a house or go on a dream vacation. The Bible teaches us how to manage money wisely, but sometimes we still need some help.
Prayer: Dear Lord, you know the struggles I have with money and my desire to manage it better. Please help me find the resources I need to help me achieve my financial goals. Guide me as I walk along this journey and help me avoid mistakes as I learn to manage money your way. Ultimately, may I trust in You above my finances. Amen.
Relationships
Our relationships with others are some of the most important ones we have. Friends and family make our lives so much more enjoyable. Still, those relationships can hit snags or become long-distance because of a move. Sometimes there are issues because of a disagreement. There are all kinds of reasons that our relationships thrive or falter.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me with my relationships this year. Help me be a better friend and family member with an open heart, open mind, and open ears to listen actively. Give me the right words in every situation and help me appreciate my loved ones more than I did last year. Lead us and help us navigate the difficulties of life together. In your name, I pray. Amen.
Marriage
Marriage is an adventure with a lot of trials. The honeymoon period doesn’t last forever, and real life unavoidably sets in. Still, our marriages are one of the most important relationships in our lives, and we should pray for our marriages daily.
Prayer: Dear Lord, you know the state of my marriage. You know if it’s the best it can be, needs some work, or is barely hanging on by a thread. I pray you will help my spouse and me enjoy the good times and recognize where work needs to be done—and be willing to do it. Please guide us and help us in all areas this year so that no matter what state our marriage is in, it can only get better with your love and guidance. Amen.
Mental Health
Mental health has become a hot topic in recent years and something that so many people struggle with. There are varying degrees of mental health issues, from mild to severe. Still, no matter what we are dealing with, we should keep our mental health and the mental health of our loved ones in prayer.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray over my mental health and the mental health of those I love today. You know what I struggle with and I ask that you help me manage my struggles. Give me the strength to keep going when I want to give up and not to abandon the resources I have to help me cope. I also pray for the mental health of my friends and that you will help them with their struggles as well. We live in such a stressful, exhausting society that can take such a toll on us. I ask that you will give all of us rest and help us keep our eyes on you. In your name, I pray. Amen.
Parenting
Being a parent is not for the faint of heart. Kids can be wild and teenagers can be moody. It’s hard sometimes to know if you are doing a good job, especially when you come against a perplexing situation. Especially in the world of moms where it seems everyone has to be perfect per social media standards. You don’t have to be perfect, but you have to be present.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray over this journey in parenthood. Sometimes I don’t know if I’m doing a good job or not. Please guide me and help me become the parent you want me to be. Give me the resources I need to raise my kids up to know and love you and to follow you all the days of their lives. Help me when situations arise and I don’t know how to handle it. I ask for your wisdom in all things regarding my children. Amen.
Faith
Growing our faith is very important. It sustains us regardless of what life throws at us, so it’s important that our faith is protected and strengthened.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me grow my faith this year. I ask that you will guide and speak to me as I read your word. Point things out to me and stir in my heart what you want me to pay attention to. Help me grow my circle of Christian friends and pay attention to the entertainment I take in. Amen.
Fun Goals
Sometimes our fun goals can seem out of reach or like they take forever until we can enjoy them.
Prayer: Dear Lord, you know how long I’ve wanted this (vacation, experience, high-end purchase, etc) and that I am working hard to achieve the fun goals I have in life. Please help me be patient and stay diligent until I’m able to reach my goal. Amen.
Personal Growth
Personal growth is also an important goal. It’s good to continue to grow personally in all areas of our lives.
Prayer: Dear Lord, you know where I need to grow personally. You see my good traits and the areas where I need to grow. Please guide me and lead me to resources that will help me grow as a person and in you. In your name, I pray. Amen.
With some planning and prayer, your goals are not unreachable. Ask God to help not only you with your goals but also with what goals he has for you. With his help, you are unstoppable.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Krisanapong Detraphiphat
Carrie Lowrance is a freelance writer and author. She has had her work featured on Crosswalk, iBelieve, Huffington Post, and the Penny Hoarder. She is also the author of three children’s books, three clean romance books, one romance novella, three books of poetry, and one non-fiction book. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and baking, reading, and hanging out with her husband, and sweet cat, Cupcake. You can find out more about Carrie and her writing at www.carrielowrance.com.
