A Prayer for 2024

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What are you hoping for this new year?

Maybe you want a fresh start from the pain in your past, or maybe you are coming into the new year with hope and expectancy.

As we anticipate the future, we can draw near to God—right now—through prayer.

Imagine what could happen this year if millions of us all over the world joined together to boldly pray for each other, our world, and for God’s will to be done.

As part of our global YouVersion Community, we want to invite you to pray with us.


God,

We thank You for all that You’ve done, and we look to the future with hope.

Our world is full of brokenness that only You can mend, so we pray for opportunities to boldly proclaim the hope we have in You.

We pray for believers all over the world—that they would be unified in You, loving and supporting each other.

In all things, help us to fix our hope on You this year.

Give us strength to persevere, courage to share Your good news, and peace in knowing that You are always with us.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.


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So you want to pray … now what?

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“I want to pray, but I don’t have time.”

With our busy lives and schedules, it can be hard to make time to pray or even know where to start.

When you feel overwhelmed, remember this: prayer is simply an honest conversation between you and God.

Here are 3 ways you can connect with God through prayer.


1. Guided Prayer

Do you want to talk to God but don’t know what to say?

Guided Prayer provides daily prompts that help you reflect on Scripture, draw closer to God, and talk to Him about what’s on your mind.

Open Guided Prayer


2. Prayer Lists

Sometimes when we pray, we get distracted.

With the Prayer List feature, you can focus on talking to God by writing your prayers down.

As you draw closer to God through prayer, you can also draw closer to your community by sharing your prayer requests with Friends.

The Prayer List helps you see how God has answered your prayers and remember His faithfulness.

Start Prayer List


3. Prayer Reminders

Sometimes we need to be reminded that we can talk to God at any time.

Prayer Reminders are perfect for when you need extra encouragement to do that.

Go to your Prayer tab, and tap, “Prayer Reminder.” From here, you can set up a time each day to receive a reminder.

Set a Reminder


“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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A Prayer for a New Year

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Whatever last year looked like, this year is an opportunity for a fresh start.

As a global Community, we have an opportunity to pray over our lives—and the lives of millions across the world.

Imagine what God could do if you joined in prayer with our Community—all praying the same prayer to the same faithful God.


God,

You are the light of the world.

Because of You, I no longer walk in darkness but in Your light. May my life reflect Your truth, pointing others to You and bringing glory to Your name.

Give me the strength and courage to share the hope that I have in You.

This world is broken, but You make what’s broken whole again.

This year, draw near to the lost, the lonely, and the hurting. And, please draw near to me.

May Your love bring us together, mending division and unifying Your global Church.

No matter what this year holds, You are faithful and Your promises are true.

Thank You for the eternal hope that I have in You.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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After saving this prayer, share it in the app so your Friends can join you!


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Resting in a Busy World

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“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.”

MATTHEW 11:28-29

So often, the world feels frantic. We wake to the sound of urgent alarms and rush from one activity to the next.

Interrupting our busy schedules can feel unthinkable—we worry we’ll fall behind. The world screams at us to buckle down, to grind, to work even harder.

But Scripture encourages us to pause and turn to God instead.

In a world that moves at such an unsustainable pace, how do we find time to rest?

Find your why.

God created us for purposeful work. But there’s a difference between doing meaningful work and letting that work become our identity. The second we cross the line, we’re caught in a vicious cycle.

Taking time to rest is the extreme opposite of what the world asks of us.

But, it’s something God consistently instructs us to do throughout the Bible.

From the very beginning, God modeled rest, and He commanded us to make rest part of our weekly rhythm.

Maybe you recognize you need to rest because you notice something in your life is becoming more important than God. Maybe it’s to prioritize your mental health. Maybe you’re simply exhausted.

Whatever it is, find a clear vision for why rest matters to you.

Schedule it on your calendar.

Time is one of our most valuable resources.

If we don’t schedule rest in advance, chances are something else will consume that resource.

One of the simplest ways to find rest is by planning when you’re going to do it. Try scheduling it on your calendar, and consider communicating the times to your family and friends.

Whether it’s 20 minutes or 24 hours, rest gives you room to appreciate and experience the things God created you to do.

Give yourself something to look forward to.

When you step back and slow down to draw closer to God, it’s likely going to feel uncomfortable or unsettling.

That probably means you’re doing it right.

When we rest, the temptation to fall into busyness becomes even greater. But true rest doesn’t always look like doing nothing.

When you schedule time to rest, plan to do something that brings you joy or peace.

This could include spending time appreciating God’s creation or cultivating a hobby God wired you to be passionate about.

Don’t do it alone.

God created us for community. We’re wired for relationships. And, those relationships can be one of the most tangible ways we experience God’s presence.

Finding a rhythm of rest isn’t something you have to do alone. Think about ways you can rest alongside your family or friends.

Resting together will help you to stay accountable when the world tries to pull you into work and activity.

Be relentless.

Practicing rest is a spiritual discipline. And, like any discipline, resting requires determination and self control.

When we choose not to rely on our own effort and let Jesus take over, we surrender our shame, striving, and expectations. In return, we experience God’s perfect peace.

Rest helps us enjoy God’s presence and realign our priorities.

Rest allows us to trust that God is working even when we aren’t.

Rest is how we trust our Savior enough to say “enough.”

Want to pause in God’s presence right now?

Open Guided Prayer

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What Are You Praying For?

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If something in your life is big enough to worry about, it’s big enough to pray about.

Not sure where to start? Choose one of these customizable prayers to add to your YouVersion Prayer List.


I’m worried about…

God, when I think about ______ I feel ______. Help me to fix my eyes on you when things feel out of my control. Remind me that you won’t give up on me because You care about me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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I’m hoping for…

God, You understand my deepest wants and needs. Help me to surrender my expectations about ______. As I pursue Your plans, help me to remember that you’ve already helped me with ______. Show me how to live a life worthy of the calling You’ve given me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Create Prayer >


My relationship with…

God, I surrender my relationship with ______ to you. Guide us as we navigate this season. Help me see where I’m ______ and ______ so that I can surrender those things to You and replace those traits with Your selfless love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Create Prayer >


P.S. After you create a Prayer, be sure to tap Share with Friends so they can pray for you!


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