Happy New Year to one and all!

We would like to propose an alternative to the usual “New Year’s Resolution” – the choosing of a “Word for the Year”. This is a lovely, personal and intentional exercise that has become very popular in Christian circles especially, and has been promoted a lot by the Abiding Together podcast, amongst others.

As Roseanne White says in her blog (click on link “here” below), “In general, an intentional Word of the Year is when you choose a word that is meant to be your inspiration, aspiration, hope, goal, or motivation that will underscore EVERYTHING for you in the year to come. Maybe it’s meant to remind you of your faith or God’s promises. Maybe it’s meant to help you focus. Maybe it’s meant to reassure you throughout the year or inspire you to something greater.”

You can turn to the Bible for inspiration, or perhaps a lyric from a song or a word or line from a poem. Take time to be quiet and pray, asking God to give you a word, and then keep your eyes, ears and heart open over the coming days. See what word or phrase lands – you’ll know it when it hits you!

You can also simply choose a word of your choice, that feels right to you. For more about the Word of the Year idea, click here.

A voice from the GKPA Team

A New Year’s Prayer

As the dawn breaks on a new year, let us give thanks for all we hold dear: our health, our family and our friends.

Let us release our grudges, our anger and our pains, for these are nothing but binding chains. Let us live each day in the most loving ways, the God-conscious way. Let us serve all who are in need, regardless of race, color or creed.

Let us keep God of our own understanding in our hearts and to chant God’s name each day. Let us lead the world from darkness to light, from falsehood to truth and from wrong to right.

Let us remember that we are all one, embracing all, discriminating against none.

May your year be filled with peace, prosperity and love. May God’s blessings shower upon you and bestow upon each of you a bright, healthy and peaceful new year.

By Rev. Marcy Sheremetta