First, a congratulations. You’ve made it through another year. That’s no small feat. Grace has sustained us and will continue to lead us forward.
As we enter a new year, we would do well to reflect on the grace of the previous 365 days and prayerfully plan for following Jesus into this next year.
We wrote this corporate prayer to help our hearts align more closely to Jesus’ as we wrap up this year and look to the next:
“Our Father in Heaven, We thank you for this year with its celebrations and sorrows. We are grateful that you have been with us for every moment. For the wounds we’ve encountered, we ask you to heal us. For the wounds we’ve inflicted, we ask you to forgive us. As we embark into a new year we pray for your guidance and direction. Grant us a hunger for your word, a passion for prayer, and a love for people. Let us reflect you well in all that we say and do. For the glory of Christ we pray, amen.”
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST HELPFUL WEBSITES//RESOURCES FOR FOLLOWING JESUS TODAY!!!
Bridgetown Church in Portland has developed a fantastic website with lots to help you go deeper in your journey with Jesus. See it here. Perhaps you could pick a practice with your friend or community?
Resources for reading the Bible:
Dwell App – This is a newer app that helps us hear God’s word in a new way. The Dwell app is an audio bible that uses several different readers from different parts of the world and includes original music designed to help us engage. The free version is limited but gives you a taste of the resources available. If you pay for the subscription, you have the freedom to pick the reader and the music track. It is a great resource for hearing the word of God.
The Bible Project– This organization has continued to grow and now has a podcast, YouTube Channel, and even the Read Scripture App. The app is very helpful for reading through the bible in a year and works well with the Dwell app. They also released a new app with additional resources. Click here for Apple devices. Click here for Android.
ESV Study Bible – One of the most helpful study Bibles on the market right now. It includes extensive study notes for every chapter of the bible, charts, maps, and articles make this study Bible a valuable resource for anyone who wants to grow in God’s Word. We have a few copies available at our gatherings if cost is prohibitive for you to purchase.
Bible Reading Plans -
Justin Taylor compiled a few over at the Gospel Coalition.
Ligonier has assembled a list as well. Find it here.
Resources for Prayer:
John Piper – “How do I Pray the Bible” - podcast and transcript
Donald Whitney - “Praying the Bible” – short YouTube clips walking through how to pray the Psalms.
Tim Keller – “Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God” – a book on how to make prayer genuinely meaningful.
Paul Miller – “A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World” - One of the most helpful books on prayer. The author lays out a pattern for living in relationship with God and includes helpful habits and approaches to prayer that enable us to return to a childlike faith.
Additional resources on prayer can be found on another blog post here.