Craig Macartney
Spur Ottawa Writer

With presents unwrapped, turkey consumed, and belt buckles loosened to accommodate, thoughts begin turning to New Year, more celebrations, and what 2019 may bring. Many of us, already regretting that second helping (was it my third?) of mashed potatoes and stuffing, are considering significant life changes for the new year (like a little less gravy next Christmas).

Depending who you ask, the top resolutions in North America are generally to lose weight, get in shape, get out of debt, and to prioritize friends and family more. These are all noble aspirations, but this year Spur Ottawa has a challenge for you: Make 2019 the year your walk with God really took off!

To help you on that journey, we offer you four resolutions to fuel the fire of your faith.

Develop the prayer life you always wanted

Prayer, like exercise, is one of those things we all talk about doing more. Too often our closet is full of unused track suits and devoid of the echoes of last night’s prayers. There is good news, however. Researchers suggest that unrealistic goals are among the most common reasons cited for giving up on resolutions. We aim high, then see the mountain in front of us, and fail to start.

Start with just 10 minutes, first thing in the morning (okay, after the coffee kicks in) or once the kids are in bed (quiet at last). As it becomes a habit you can increase the time gradually.

A real prayer life takes consistency, just like exercise—you’ll feel it if you haven’t worked your faith muscles in a while—but a few tricks can help you get going.

1. Don’t just read a shopping list to God. Requests are great, but prayer is about two-way communication between us and our Creator. Talk to God about your life. Thank Him for the good things you experienced this week (like stuffing and gravy). Share your struggles and ask for help (like sounding sincere when you thank your neighbour for the fruitcake they made).
2. Make time to actually be still and listen for God’s voice.
3. Pray the psalms.
4. Set a prayer goal, be persistent, and pay attention to how God moves throughout the year. Sometimes God moves slowly and quietly, but if you pay attention you will see His fingerprints along the way.

One great initiative to help fire up your prayer life is City on our Knees, coming up January 20 to 26.

Get involved in ministry somewhere

If you’re like most people you can barely remember last year’s resolutions. Why not resolve to do something with eternal value? Ottawa is full of amazing charities and they constantly rely on volunteers to make the magic happen. Whether you are feeding the homeless or serving in your church, helping shut-ins or volunteering at a crisis pregnancy centre you are likely to find new friends, make worthwhile memories, and brighten someone’s day more than you realize.

An amazing mystery of the Kingdom is that God relies on us to advance His mission. This year, resolve to leave a mark that touches the heart of heaven.

Mentor a young person

Countless studies have highlighted the challenges faced by fatherless youth. While there have been fewer studies, the need for godly female role models is just as present.

Youth these days desperately crave positive attention and someone who will call out the good in them. An hour or two a few times a month, in some cases, will make the difference between whether a kid gets trapped in gang life or discovers a whole new life in Christ.

Talk to your pastor or youth pastor about what you can do or connect with The CODE.

You might even be surprised how it changes you. (Plus their parents will be eternally grateful to see them put down their phone and have an actual conversation with someone).

Read through the Bible

A 2014 study found that fewer than one in five Canadian Christians read the Bible at least once a month. If you want to study the scripture more, there’s no better time to start than today. Fortunately there are tons of resources to help you along the way. Download the YouVersion app, with audio-Bibles and hundreds of translations and plans. You can set the app to prompt you with daily reminders, make highlights and notes, and share inspiring verses with friends.

If you’ve read the Bible many times, change things up this year. Pick up a chronological Bible or reading plan (where the books are rearranged based on the biblical timeline) or try a new translation. You could even include The Bible Project, with its short video insights on the biblical books and themes, into your devotional time.

Answer the cry

The Bible says that creation groans, waiting for the sons of God to be revealed—that’s you! So as you head into this New Year, take some time to ask God what He has in store for you and how you can respond to creation’s cry. Then resolve to do something lasting—January diets never make it through Valentine’s Day anyway.

Cut down on the turkey (once the party is over), get more exercise (starting next week), and resolve to stop procrastinating…sometime…but, this year, resolve to walk with God closer than ever before and see where His great power leads you.