Guide for a Year-End Journal

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Setting aside 15 minutes, we invite you to spend time journaling in reflection and prayer. Whether you commit this to pen and paper, or save it in your notes app, we hope this will help lead you purposely into a new year as you reflect now and return to it as needed.


Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 3 Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. - Psalm 100:1-5

1 - ENTER HIS PRESENCE

God has been with you all year! He is with you now! Right now, you’re invited to wake up to His presence, like walking up to an old friend’s house and being greeted at the door. Take a minute to breathe slowly, and intentionally knock on God’s door with gladness.


2 - LOOK BACK WITH GRATITUDE

Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. - Psalm 100:4b-5

Looking over the past year, how have you experienced his goodness? What little things were signs of His love? What big things can you see as His faithfulness? Spend a few minutes journaling and thanking God.


3 - MAKE ROOM FOR LAMENT

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7

Not everything goes the way we wish it would. It’s normal to experience some sort of sorrow, disappointment, or pain. This can come through circumstances like sickness or disaster, from bad news, or our own sin. When we lament, we invite God into what we honestly feel, without having to pretend everything is ok.

Is there anything you wish to lament before God? Name it honestly, and tell your Father who loves you.


4 - REJOICE IN HIS LOVE

Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. - Psalm 116:7

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 3 Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. - Psalm 100:1-3

Because of Jesus, no matter what happens in this life, we are God’s children. We are His, to be loved and cared for, like sheep in His pasture. In the face of life’s difficulties, take a moment and rest in this truth and rejoice.


5 - ADMIT YOUR HOPES FOR THE NEXT YEAR

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. - Proverbs 16:9

Spend time writing down your desires for the next year, inviting God into your plans. Don’t worry about exactness or having a complete picture. Just begin to dream.

  1. Ask for His vision to inform yours, opening yourself to His direction. Does His vision line up with yours? Or differ?

  2. In what way might He be asking you to trust Him?

  3. How is He asking you to serve Him?

  4. Who is He putting on your heart to bless?


6 - REST, KNOWING YOU ARE IN HIS HANDS

Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. - Psalm 37:5

Simply thank God for being with you, and tell Him that you trust His intentions toward you.


CLOSING PRAYER:

Father, God. Thank you for all the ways you shower me with love and kindness, and for sitting here with me now. I give you my heart and the desires within it. I trust you to guide me and help me this next year, as I surrender to your will. In my life, in my plans, in my words and deeds: Blessed be Your name, O Lord. Blessed be Your name. Amen.

FAMILY REFLECTION

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His love endures forever. - Psalm 118:1

  1. The Bible says God love us. What are some things He did for you because He loves you?

  2. What’s something you want to thank God for? It can be family, friends, food, anything!

  3. What’s something good you want to ask God to do next year?

  4. What’s something nice you can ask God to do for someone you know?

  5. Jesus promises to always be there for us. He just wants you to know, he is there for you, no matter what. How does that make you feel?

    "I am with you always” - Matthew 28:20

PRAYER:

Thank you, God, for loving me. Thank you for always being there when I need you. Please bring good things into my life, and take care of my family and friends. Amen.