New Year's Resolutions | Spirit

What better time to set new goals for yourself than the beginning of a new year? And what better goals to set than those that improve the 3 most basic elements of who you are: mind, body, and spirit?

Whether you're someone who officially creates New Year's resolutions for yourself or not, it is always helpful to think about ways to improve your quality of life by aiming for excellence in all things.

So how can we as believers work towards exercising and strengthening our Spirit this year?

If there’s one thing you resolve to do with God in this upcoming year, let it be taking ownership of your prayers.

At Wesley there is a culture of asking God for big things—asking him for healing, asking him for financial miracles, asking him for freedom from depression, anxiety or addictions.

At a Wesley service, you might hear Bob, Clay or Daniel talk about and then pray for these or other big things.

It might seem like God would only hear those prayers because they are from leaders at Wesley. Or maybe it’s easier to agree with their prayers rather than come up with your own — but God wants to hear you ask for big things, too.

In John 14:13-14, Jesus tells us that whatever we ask in his name, he will do for us.

Jesus isn’t saying that he’s a magical genie who will grant our every wish, but he is saying to ask.
He is prompting us to have the faith to ask him for big things, with the understanding that he will provide for us exactly what we need and that if we don’t get what we were hoping for that he is enough.

God’s greatest desire is for you to know him and him to know you. So expand your relationship with him by telling him about the dreams and desires in your heart, rather than stifling them or praying for what seems right.

Here are a few ways you can begin to ask God for big things:

1. Prayerfully consider your goals and your dreams with God.

2. Tell God what you want to see happen at Wesley services. For example, ask him for specific friends to come.  

3. Ask for the impossible. Believe God can provide anything and if he doesn’t provide that anything you are thinking of, that he will provide exactly what you need.
 
Author | Lindsey Conway