Proclamations for the New Year
Well, it’s a new year and most people make a list of Resolutions, usually regarding personal behaviors they want to change. Webster’s Dictionary defines resolution as: “the act of resolving or determining, as upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc; Firm determination; a solution or explanation, as of a problem.” We make a Resolution to change some form of behavior or bad habit we’re really not happy about. How many of these behavioral changes have required our “firm determination” to overcome? And how many Resolutions have we failed to keep in the past, only to make the same Resolutions for the next year, hoping to finally “master and conquer” our problem. The cycle leaves us discouraged by the failure and defeat of it all.
But we who are believers and followers of Jesus Christ have a greater power than just our “firm determination” to help us succeed with necessary changes in our lives. We have His Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and our faith. I John 5:4-5 says, “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
Below is a list of Resolutions to “proclaim and confess.” As you agree with God’s Word and submit to His lordship in your life, He will help you with the changes you desire. Resist and cast off the fear of failure, the fear that it’s “too hard,” and the fear that you will never change. Mark 11:24 says, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Step 1: We ask God to help us and believe that He will!
Step 2: We step out in faith with our actions, for faith without works is dead. (James 2:26)
Through the Bible, God’s Word, we have access to the wisdom, knowledge and understanding which we need every day in this world. Change is not always instantaneous. Some changes take time, and in the process we learn patience and perseverance. Remember that every one of the eleven disciples (excluding Judas/the twelfth) were overcomers. You can be an overcomer too! God WANTS you to be an overcomer, and He is here to help you in every way to make it your new reality.
“Proclamations For This Year”
I ask for God’s help to be free from the habit of___________!
I realize this is not pleasing to God and nothing should have power over me but God.I choose to not give in to negativity. Instead, I will recognize all that I have to be thankful for, and in my thoughts and words I will focus on the positive.
I will be a giver this year. I will not be stingy and hoard my money, for God loves a cheerful giver.
I will not allow myself to speak the words of the enemy. I will give him NO place in my life. Instead, I will speak words that are in line with God’s Word and what He will agree with.
I will not allow people in my life who bring me down and lead me away from God. I will trust God to bring good friends to me and I will make wise choices concerning friends and relationships.
I will read the Bible consistently and I will meditate on the Word of God every day. For this will help me to keep the right perspective and will help me break free from___________.
I will spend time in prayer every day, bringing my requests to God and giving Him my burdens and anxieties. I choose to not worry or be afraid, but instead I choose to trust in my Lord.
I will put others before myself in all circumstances, for this is pleasing to God.
I will be careful what I say and be mindful of others’ feelings.
I will ask God to show me kind things I can do for others just to bless them and to be a blessing.
I will plan my time wisely so I won’t be late to work, appointments, meetings, etc.
I will say “I love you” to my spouse, children and family every day.
I am trusting God for healing of____________. For Jesus bore all of my sicknesses and diseases. By His stripes I am healed. It is His desire that I be healthy.
I seek more of the Holy Spirit and the fullness of God, that I may be empowered to be all that God wants me to be.
I proclaim and declare that this is my time for a breakthrough, to become what God wants me to become. I will not give in to discouragement, for some changes take time. Instead, I will persevere, trusting the Lord for the strength I need.
Scriptures to Read for Encouragement:
I John 5:13-15 Ask according to His will…
I John 4:4 Greater is He who is in you…
I John 3:16-20 How we know love…
I Peter 5:7-9 Cast all anxieties on Him…
2 Peter 1:5-9 Goodness, knowledge, self-control…
2 Corinthians 6:14 Unequally yoked…
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 God loves a cheerful giver…
Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice; Think on these things…
Galatians 3:13 Expect God’s blessings…
2 Thessalonians 3:2-3 He guards you against the evil one…
Galatians 2:20 Christ living in me…
Galatians 5:13 Called to freedom…
Isaiah 53:4-5 By His stripes we are healed (The Greek says “sicknesses and diseases” rather than “infirmities and sorrows”)
Let’s pray:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I realize my weaknesses and that I am helpless to change on my own. But You are with me and in me. I look to You for strength and power to change. I want to please You in all that I say and do. I believe You have SO much more for me and I don’t want to miss any of it. My obedience matters. I choose to obey Your Word, and as I do, my confidence will grow. Forgive me for giving up in the past; for taking the easier way. I realize that continuing my poor behaviors and bad habits falls short of the good plans you have for me. Thank you for those good plans! I am now stepping into those plans with Your grace and help. I look forward to this journey with You, my journey for change.
In Jesus Mighty Name I pray,
Amen
P.S. If the prospect of sudden change seems overwhelming to you, try focusing on just a couple of these proclamations at a time. When you see progress in those areas, add additional proclamations to your efforts.
By Sherry McPherson | January 26, 2010 1:49 pm