Steps to Finding Your Word for the Year

Have you heard friends talk about their "word for the year" and wondered how they found it? And what difference it made in their life?

Twenty-three years ago when I created my DIY prayer notebook, I began seeking a word, scripture, or phrase that the Lord would give me as my focus to write on the first page so that I could see it every morning and live intentionally.

Those words, scriptures and phrases through the years have provided me great inspiration and focus. 

And it's really cool to look back on them as I have those pages all still in the front of my journal, starting with the most recent.

I encourage you to give it a try! 

My simple step-by-step process for finding your "word for the year":

1. Get a pen and paper, find a quiet spot for 5-10 minutes, and ready your heart to hear from the Lord.
2. Pray something like this: “Lord, clear my heart and mind so that I may hear from you. Spirit of Truth, speak to me as I wait on you. Reveal to me the word, phrase or scripture you have for me as my focus for this new year. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
3.  Start jotting down all words, phrases or scriptures come to mind. If you have been keeping a prayer journal, you might look back on it and look for common themes or recorded scriptures. Ask yourself: Is there a scripture, passage, or word that has come up more than once lately?
4.  Sometimes you know a word rings true as soon as you've seen it. Other times you might circle a few ideas and then be watchful and prayerful for a few days to see if the Lord highlights one in particular. If, after a few days, you still aren't completely sure, just pick one or two of your words or scriptures and go with it, asking the Lord to teach you in those areas.
5. Write it down where you will see it daily. (I highly recommend making a prayer journal and keep it in the front.)

Does this sound doable?

Maybe you already have your word for the year?

When you decide on your word, phrase, or scripture for the year, I would love to hear what it is! Will you share it with me?

I believe it will be a powerful thing in your life.