Spiritual reflection for the new year

As 2024 comes to an end, it’s a great opportunity to take the time to review your year and to reflect on your growth and progress. It can also be healthy to acknowledge any setbacks or low points and think about how they can be addressed in this new year. So grab a pen and paper or open the notes app on your phone. Ask yourself:

• What was one of your most successful moments during the year?

• What is one goal that you are proud of having completed?

• Where was one environment that helped you thrive?

• Was there at least one saying or Bible verse that you held on to throughout the year?

Remember that looking back is to be done with grace and isn’t meant to be an exercise to fill you with guilt. The aim is to use it as a stepping stone to help shape your future plans and ideas.

• What helped you deal with the low points this year?

• What does effective support look like for you?

• What resources or tools would you like to be equipped with to help you in the face of challenges?

God has kept you from January to December. There may have been beautiful moments, but there may also have been painful phases of the year. Despite our relationship with Jesus, an easy daily life was not promised to us. Instead the Lord has asked us to go for him for our daily bread.

As the year draws to a close, once again we call on him for our daily needs. We may not know what the future holds, however we know God has promised to be by our side to strengthen and sustain us.

Have these scriptures handy for whatever 2025 brings, as a reminder of the Lord’s amazing promises. Feel free to bookmark them and to use them as part of your meditation this year. Using these words from the scriptures will help you to keep focusing on God throughout 2025. 

‘Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.’ Psalm 62:8

‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.’ Proverbs 3:5–6

‘Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.’ Psalm 9:10

‘Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ Ephesians 5:20

‘Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.’ Colossians 4:2

‘Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:18

‘My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ.’ Colossians 2:2

‘Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.’ 1 Peter 5:7

‘But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.’ Isaiah 40:31

‘The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.’ Psalm 34:18

‘And call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honour me.’ Psalm 50:15

‘When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.’ Psalm 56:3

‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3

‘If you declare with your mouth, ​“Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.’ Romans 10:9

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ John 3:16

Remember although we do not know what 2025 has in store for us, we know that our God will be right there with us shepherding us along the way.

Let’s keep our eyes firmly on Jesus, trusting him to guide and support us through the trials and the triumphant times to come.

Here’s a suggested spiritual action plan for 2025 to help you stay on track:

1. Find a daily devotional that can support consistent prayer and Bible reading. Everyone’s spiritual time looks different so don’t feel pressure for it to look like anyone else’s. Maybe you connect to God through nature, or worship, or reading the Bible. Take some time to connect with God regularly in ways that you find helpful.

2. Join any face to face or virtual groups that will keep you connected to other Christians and your faith strong.

3. For the key scriptures that inspire you, be sure to put them in places where you will be able to see them regularly so that they can help you to remain motivated.