Theme Word for the New Year

Transcribed from The ESP Podcast with Dr. James D. Allen, Jan 2, 2022

2022 is here. After the last two years, I feel like backing into the year very slowly.   I don’t think our world has felt so vulnerable since September 11.

I read with interest a blog by a good friend, Pastor Andy George. The title was “Why a theme word is better than a resolution for the new year!”  It made a lot of sense to me. 2021 has been a difficult year for me and so many others. As I thought about what my word should be, my theme for 2022, I realized that I had spent far more time in worry and anxiety than in prayer. Not a good thing. I feel like a mess crawling toward Jesus, but always am delighted to see Him running toward me. His love knows no bounds for His people.

When I arrived in Bowling Green as pastor, the founding pastor Randy Carter had already done a great work. The church was five years old with property and a newly constructed building. About 250 or so were in attendance on Sunday. Prayer was the theme, and prayer became my theme. I arrived in late 1988, and by Spring of 1994, we had built a new 1200 seat sanctuary. God continued to bless in so many ways. Prayer was the heart of the growth. God gave me a praying people to work together for His Kingdom. Several buildings later and more land, by the time I left the church after over 18 years, we were averaging 1100 in Sunday morning services. I was asked to be on programs, to give interviews, to share the key; however, my answer was boring—prayer and a people willing to pray. Oh yes, there were some exciting things that happened, but they were all based on prayer. The 700 club did have a short presentation about the church and our outreach programs; however, the answer was still prayer. Not as exciting as describing an angelic gladiator battling back the evil forces to the north.

Let’s face it; prayer has become glib, non-romantic, a catchphrase, a jive move, boring, and just plain dull. It is not the thing of interviews and earth-shattering stories. Prayer is unseen, hidden, unrecognized, behind the scenes, and extremely difficult. But all these perceptions are wrong. Prayer is powerful, present, and moves the hand of God.

An example is Daniel, who set himself to fast and pray; much activity was taking place. Daniel 10:10-14  Just then, a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. 11 And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling.

12 Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. 13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince^* of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels,^* came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.^* 14 Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.”  Daniel 10:10-14.

WOW!! Now that is exciting. Daniel didn’t know what was happening in the heavens, but God’s angels were battling the enemy to bring him this message. Now that is an episode worthy of a TV interview. When we state, all we can do is pray—and I have stated that also, it is as though it is the last resort, the final straw, the weapon of last resort. We all know prayer is powerful, but we think of it as dull because we can’t see the activity in the spiritual realm. I admit, it is hard, at times unfocused, underutilized, and almost always downplayed, but it is the heart after God. I often will say of loved ones, well, all I can do is pray. I ask the Spirit to convict me this year every time I say that. May it become, I will pray for what God can do, and I will join Him in His plan for that person.

This year it is not a resolution or resolutions I am going for. Like the time I resolved to read the Bible through every three months, and that was more like an experiment in humiliation and self-condemnation! No, this year, I am taking Pastor Andy’s word as a word from God for me. My word for this year is prayer!

I will pray not as a last resort but as the priority. I already have several prayers I pray often. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.    Or Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on me, deliver me from all unrighteousness and deliver me out of the hands of the evil one. Or go before me Oh Lord and illuminate every snare of the enemy and give me a word to defeat him.

Yes, I even pray:  Hail Mary, full of grace, blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus. No, I am not catholic, but it is a scriptural prayer that Jesus came as a man—the God-man and understands my frailties even in all His perfection.

I don’t know what you are doing for the New Year, resolutions, a theme word, or just winging it, but I wish you all the best from God in 2022.

I believe in the weeks ahead; we will address depression, anxiety, panic, fear, and many other emotions that have settled into our hearts and homes. And one thing you can count on—I will pray for you, by name if you ask, or by a follower of this podcast—God’s best for you in 22.