Pray for Guidance for the New Year


Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6b)

The problem with resolutions is that they include a “forever” commitment. We’re going to lose weight, exercise more, get out of debt, stick to a budget, stop smoking, save for the future, and spend more time with family. We want to improve ourselves and our quality of life and have some kind of impact on the rest of the world.


I remember a few years ago, I made a resolution to work out 3 times a week. I started strong – getting a membership to one of the local fitness clubs. I went strong for about 3 months before I began to miss once in a while. Slowly, I slipped back into the same old pattern. This doesn’t make me much of an example.


Resolutions are like speed limits. They foster obedience while they’re new. But when we figure out that no one is watching but us, we get lazy; we transgress the line. It’s what sinful human beings do. It’s also one more reminder to me that if life is really all up to me then I’m in trouble. I simply don’t have the strength of wits and will to force me to do what I know I should do.


But there is still hope.


This year, I ask you to set aside any attempts to make a promise you know you can’t keep. Instead, I ask that you would sign up and participate in a one-time event to pray – have a conversation with God concerning this New Year.

Each year, we have faced challenges as a family of faith that we would not have had the wisdom to navigate without God’s help. Please join in the effort to really listen to God’s direction.


If you haven’t ever signed up to pray, it’s not complicated. Because we desire to cover as much of the day as possible, I ask that you sign up for a specific time and to honor that time as when you will be praying and listening on behalf of Gloria Dei.


There is nothing like being on site. We have a prayer room dedicated for this purpose. If you aren’t sure how to go about investing your time in prayer, a prayer guide with instructions and devotions will be provided for you.


It is our desire to have a lasting impact on our community. What better way to begin than by asking God to direct our steps.


God reminded the leaders of Israel that it’s not by our skill that lasting impact happens. It is by moving in the direction God leads us. The word of God to them was, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” God was reminding them to listen and then follow the work of His Spirit.


Transformation begins in the heart. Join us in prayer. With God’s direction, may 2019 be an impact-filled year to the Glory of God.


Keep and Live the Faith!
-Pr. Dave Dahl

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