As we leave 2021 behind and look to the new year, we remember well the words a good friend shared with us last January: “I may not always make great financial decisions but at least I didn’t waste my money on a 2020 planner.” Perhaps many of us would agree that a daily planner wasn’t the most helpful tool as we navigated our way through the last two years. There have been surprises, necessary rescheduling, missed opportunities and disappointments. Some of our best-laid plans were laid aside.

We can carry many lessons forward from the last year, including how to approach planning for the year ahead. Scripture reminds us that the Lord establishes our steps while we make plans in our hearts: “We should make plans—counting on God to direct us” (Proverbs 16:9 TLB).

Reggie McNeal, author of The Present Future, suggests a perspective on planning that can be applied not only to our ministries but to our personal lives: “The best approach to future ministry involves prayer and preparation, not prediction and planning.” Prayer and preparation lay a foundation upon which to review any predictions and make any plans.

Prayer acknowledges that there is a sovereign God who is actively involved in our world and our days. Prayer provides a window to gain perspective on events happening around us as we place ourselves in the hands of a loving God who waits to hear our prayers. The Bible directs us to “not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Preparation of heart, mind and soul enables us to better navigate those unexpected moments. We prepare through strengthening relationships with others who will share the journey of the year ahead. We prepare by reviewing where we have been, what we have learned and what strengths we have developed, as well as the areas requiring attention.

Taking time in these early weeks of a new year to develop a stronger prayer life and to evaluate what preparations need to be made to face the coming months provides a foundation to make plans—counting on God to direct us. Let’s step into this new year praying and preparing for God to do more than we could ever ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us throughout 2022.

Photo: prachid/stock.Adobe.com

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