What’s Your Word for the Year?

As the year comes to an end and the holiday bustle subsides, you might be reflecting on New Year’s resolutions, writing down dreams, or setting new goals. Another way to welcome the year with expectancy is to define a “word for the year.” In case you’ve never heard of it, typically, a “word for the year” is something you are believing for in the coming year—a word or theme that stood out during your time with God. It’s a word you can continue to pray for throughout the year, or use to help filter your decisions and remind you of what’s important. 

Here is a step-by-step guide to help you narrow down your word.

Step One: Schedule and set aside a time for prayer. Turn off your notifications, tune out the distractions, and take time to connect with God. Every person connects with God differently, so decide what enriches you the most. Do you connect with God best in nature? When worship music is playing? When there is silence? Take time to examine what makes you feel closest to God. 

Step Two: As you listen and pray, simply enjoy God’s presence without any pressure to figure it all out. If any inspiring thoughts or Scriptures come to mind during that time, jot them down. If nothing stands out to you on the first day, don’t get discouraged. Keep carving out time to connect with God and repeat the process. Most likely, you’ll sense a theme forming.

Step Three: As you listen and pray, also take time to reflect. Look back on the previous year and ask yourself questions like: 

1. What did God teach me?
2. How did I grow? 
3. What is there to celebrate? 

Then, take time to reflect on the new year. Ask yourself questions like: 

1. Who do I want to become this year? 
2. What prayers do I want to see answered? 
3. If I could sum up my hopes for the new year in three words, what would they be?

After you write down your thoughts, look for common threads. Take the three words you listed and add any others that come to mind based on the theme. Circle the ones that stand out the most and research the words in a thesaurus. Notice any other variations that emerge. Continue to narrow your list until you land on the word that stands out the most. Write down your word and hang it in a place you’ll see it regularly. Maybe your word is “trust.” Visibly seeing your word can remind you to trust God when life is challenging in the coming year. Or perhaps it serves as a reminder to pray for a steady trust in Christ to form in you throughout the year. 

A Prayer as You Begin: 

Lord, help me to quiet my spirit and listen to you. Remove any blockades in my mind or heart that prevent me from hearing and responding to your whispers. As I look toward the new year, help me to tune in to your thoughts and desires for my life. Help me to enter the new year with great faith, expectancy, and peace as I follow your lead. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Five Steps To Choosing Your Word Or Phrase For The Year with Bianca Juarez Olthoff