Intentional is my “one-word” for the year.
Some think the one-word movement is hokey. I know because that was me not so long ago. And yet, in a world that tugs on us with the same fervor as a hungry toddler, embracing a word that points us to the Word offers an intentional act that can help us stay focused.
Many areas in life deserve more intentionality on my part, but none more than prayer.
Below are three ways I’m learning to re-engage the power and beauty of prayer in my own life. I’d love to know how you’re doing the same in the comment section below. We are in this together, after all. *smile*
1. Re-visit the Why
Why pray? If we were raised in the church, our whys more than likely roll off the tongue with ease. But what about today? What about prayer stirs us to set aside time on a busy morning? What do we believe about prayer that causes us to risk embarrassment by thanking God for our food in public places?
For me, this “why” surfaced first: Because I can⏤because we can. Thanks be to Christ’s sacrifice, we can converse with the One True God⏤the One who formed us, the One who redeemed us, sanctifies us, loves us beyond comprehension, quiets us, heals us, and empowers us to live more like Jesus.
It is impossible to grasp the reality of this magnificent privilege and remain the same.
What is your “why” and how does it change your intentions for 2020?
2. Scribble Your Prayers
Scribble, you say? Okay, maybe that’s not exactly what I mean, but one of the best pieces of writing advice I ever received was to scribble my rogue ideas and rough drafts in a plain spiral-bound notebook. Not fancy ones, like those Brian used to bring home from France. {I’m not sure what it says about me that I asked for paper instead of perfume, but let me just say, this was no ordinary paper. The crisp white sheets were smooth as glass, yet thick enough to resist any bleed-through.}
But this same sheet of paper sat blank because I didn’t want to waste a “good” sheet for what could be the worst paragraph ever.
And therein lies the beauty of a solid-colored spiral-bound notebook. The sheets are thin and anything but crisp⏤but they are brimming with words. There’s no concern about messing up or writing the wrong thing on a cheap piece of paper.
Sometimes when journaling our prayers, it’s easy to feel stuck, unsure of what we want to write. Or we skip a day, a week, or longer because we don’t know where to begin. So the page remains blank.
But when the imperfect spiral-bound pages make themselves available for imperfect words and sentences, there’s a freedom at work that I can’t explain.
“Scribbling” tips:
- Write like no one else will read it but God. It’s a safe place to pour out your hurt, your dreams, your doubts–whatever is on your heart. King David paved the way in Psalms, showing us how to trust God with our honesty while never failing to recognize His majesty.
- Try different methods. There’s no one way that’s right for everyone. Over the years, I’ve used an organized prayer notebook with tabs for praise, confession, intercession, and salvation. I also have stacks of plain notebooks, some started but never finished, and others filled with my failures and God’s faithfulness.
- Keep a tiny journal with you at all times. Be intentional, watching for God’s goodness as you move through your day. Eventually, you will create your own pocketful of praises. {Don’t miss the tiny journal opportunity below!}
3. Incorporate “Touchpoints” of Prayer
To be clear, there’s nothing sacred about touching anything. But using everyday touches to prompt a prayer is a simple and intentional way to stay connected with God throughout our day. Such as:
- Washing the dishes. Let the water running over your hands serve as a reminder to pray for those who are spiritually thirsty, without Christ. We pray for their salvation so that their innermost being will flow rivers of living water. (John 7:38)
- Steering wheel. As you take hold of the wheel, let your grip serve as a reminder of God’s closeness to you, praising God for surrounding you with His presence. “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 125:1,2)
- Feet to the floor. This “touchpoint” is mentioned in 4 “Touchpoints” to Connect with God Throughout the Day, the latest gift for current/new subscribers. The moment our feet touch either the coldness of hardwood flooring or the warmth of cozy slippers in the morning, let that touch prompt us to offer God our first thought of the day. It can be as simple as, Thank you for a new day, Thank you for fresh mercy (Lamentations 3:22, 23), or Have Your Way Today, Lord.
“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.” Jeremiah 29:12
How would you like to become more intentional in 2020? Share in the comment section below to help cement your own intentions, encourage others, and have your name placed in a random giveaway for a pair of mini journals.
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I love this. My word this year is focus. Sometimes I move too fast and miss something I should have heard, bump into something because I wasn’t watching where I was going, or just freeze because I’m not sure how to support the authors I try to help.
Focus is such a good word! I agree — it’s easy to get busy and miss little things that matter. Praying this for you, Jann.
Hi sweet friend!! This was such perfect timing!! I kept meaning to reach out to you last week. I was at the beach and kept thinking about you…and praying for you…and wishing I had your beach devotions!!!
I love this post!! The sensory reminders are wonderful…I LOVE the touchpoints!! And girl, I can totally relate on the journaling and how I used to be controlled by needing to look “pretty” and in my best handwriting and consistent! And on the “Why?”…I’ve found myself thinking that “prayer is the least I can do,” but it is the MOST!! What a gift to be able to go to our loving heavenly Father with whatever concerns us…or others…and know that He hears and cares and answers!
I’m still seeking my word for the year. Unless He shows me otherwise, it’s Word…the Word…staying in, resting in, trusting in His Word.
Oh, how He loves us!
Love the touch points during the day! I don’t think I could pick just one word for the year I feel like there is always room for spiritual improvement and growth. If I had to pick one I guess it would be positive. I am such a pessimist, always expecting the worst things to happen. As a daughter of the King I should have a joyful heart, an open serving mind for my church and when negativity is in the way it can cloud all that. So my word is positive. I’m going to try to think more positively about any situations that may come. Hopefully this will give me a better, non-bitter, serving mind, body, and soul.
Hi Destiny! That’s the beauty of it…no one has to pick a word but positive is a great place to start. I’m learning that when I pray for the ability to see situations and people through His eyes, everything shifts heavenward, including my attitude. I love your heart and I’ll be praying for those things you mentioned here. Thanks for sharing!
I can’t imagine a better “word”, Kristi! 🙂 That’s so sweet — I hope you had a wonderful time at the beach. I couldn’t help but smile knowing I’m not the only office supply geek that cares about paper. Oh girl, I miss you! The next time you make it to the conference at North Greenville University, please let me know. We’re only a few miles away. Praying 2020 will be one of your best!
I prayed for One Word several years ago. I got “steadfast”…so I kept praying about it because what a weird one that is. But it stuck and I learned so much that year and the next about standing firm and pressing on. It will always be “my” word! After that my words were “celebrate” (as my kids were hitting milestone birthdays and our 30th anniversary) and “intentional”. Each time that word has been has become part of my walk. It reminds me regularly of God’s involvement in every part of my life. This year my word is “humility”. I don’t like it. But I guess I will learn a lot about it anyway
Thanks for sharing, Kara! It seems like your words have offered a lot of learning/growing experiences. Praying the word “humility” will bless your new year. 🙂 Blessings!
My word is also intentional. Staying focused, praying, reading His Word, sharing with others — whatever and however God leads.
Yes and amen, Amy! Thank you for taking the time to share. I’m encouraged by your desire to be more intentional as well. Blessings. 🙂
I don’t have a word for the year. I am seeking to be more intentional to sit and listen for God’s voice, to see what He may have to say to me, rather than letting my prayer time be all about what I have to say to Him.
Your perspective on prayer is a wise one. I didn’t have a word last year and was perfectly fine not forcing it. As long as we’re in THE Word, all else fails in comparison. Praying for you this year, my friend! Thanks for taking the time to share. 🙂
Hi Cathy,
I’m trying again. I cried with my first response, so a I doubt it can be recreated. But I don’t have a word for the year, I’m sure it’s because I’m still in the throws of getting my masters degree. It’ll probably have something to do with finishing strong or being favored. Idk yet. “Chosen” sort of stuck from what I was writing before, or maybe “embrace” since happy memories will be made in the spring of 2020. I graduate on May 1st and I’m mother of the bride on May 4th (in different states). I love your journal idea, so I’ll have to borrow that one!
Blessings,
Laurie
Yeah! I’m glad the second try worked (sorry about the first one). You have a lot going on in this season of life — wonderful, God-glorifying things! I’m praying for you, especially on the 4th. 🙂
Hi Cathy! I really enjoyed your post! The touchpoints are very inspiring, in whatever I’m doing! My word for 2020 is stand; stand without fear, stand and be loved by Him. I’m not getting the words from my mind to the keyboard however I think you’ll understand!. I recently found a simple spiral notebook where I had written my prayers! Oh my, just reading them again was so encouraging! I’m standing in God’s Word in 2020!
Thank you, Sherry! I love the word you’ve chosen for 2020. What a beautiful word picture of standing strong in the Lord! Reading through the pages of older prayer journals should’ve been included in this post for the very reason you mentioned. Oh, to see God’s faithfulness over and over. 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to share. Blessings!
How beautiful! Even the layout of your post is lovely. I adore the word intentional. I came to understand during my Bullet journal searching in 2019. My first bullet journal and research into Ryder Carroll’s purpose of bullet journaling. THIS YEAR, I chose PERSEVERANCE for my word. After a year of COURAGE in 2019 attempting new projects, a new writing life, first writing conferences and networking opportunities on social media, this year, I need to persevere. Because I entered 2020 with an overwhelming dread that I would not finish anything I started in the past couple of years. Thanks for your reminder of God’s faithfulness today and everyday.
You inspire me in so many ways! It sounds like last year’s one-word helped you stay focused in stepping out of your comfort zone and I have no doubt Perseverance will do the same, if not more. Finishing a couple of ongoing projects is also on my to-do list for 2020. Thanks for taking the time to stop by…praying your year will be used in mighty ways for Kingdom glory!
I love this! I have shelves of prayer journals. My granddaughters are always curious about them, asking questions. I pray that one day they will read them and know their Nanna prayed over them. Along with my favorite notebook, this year I’m using a ValMarie Prayer Journal and I’m loving it. I tuck it, along with my regular journal in bag and take them both everywhere I go. While I’m waiting I can pull them out and pray. That’s a touch point for me, a reminder to pray.
What a beautiful touchpoint, Tammy! I’ve not heard of ValMarie journals but I’ll definitely check them out. Your purse must be the same size as mine. Ha! Thank you for taking the time to stop by and share. 🙂
I love the touch points and shared them with a special someone. I think your word is suoer. I choose Rejoice. I want to continue having a grateful heart, which had grown cold, but the Lord is always faithful to restore. Thank you for always encouraging and reminding us to dig deeper in the Word.
You are so right, Elaine! The Lord is faithful to restore. Rejoice will serve as a reminder of this faithfulness throughout the year. Rejoicing with you, friend.
I’ve been writing a lot about my word, abundance. We are headed to FL for a two week trip but when we get back we must plan our visit to TINY HOUSE ON THE HILL. xo
Yes, Susan!!! Enjoy your time at the beach. If the ocean doesn’t remind us of abundance, I don’t know what does. 🙂 Blessings, friend.
I’ve kept a prayer journal for years and still learned from your post. Touch points is a new concept for me.
I’m rereading the book TOO BUSY NOT TO PRAY to help improve my prayer life – one of my resolutions. My why for praying is to draw closer to God. We talk with those we’re in relationship with!
Blessings!
What a great book! You’ve inspired me to find my copy. I’m glad the post was helpful. 🙂 And you’re so right, Candyce. We spend time and converse with those we love. Thank you for taking the time to share!
I’ve been enjoying the word of the year for a couple of years. Of course, some years are more intentional and productive than others, but I still do it. This year I am using “steadfast” as my word. I’ve found that if I jot down verses that speak to me (as I discover them over my Bible readings), it helps cement my word. Using cursive helps me to slow down even more and focus on the words of the verses. I have a blessings journal, nothing fancy, but I add the verses on the left side and list days of the month on the right side. Each day, I write down my blessings. And the added verses on the other side are good reminders. Great post! Blessings!
I love everything about this, Angie — especially the idea of writing in cursive to slow the thought process down. Thank you for sharing! I hope you have a nice weekend. 🙂
Why pray? I asked myself that question on more than one occasion in years past. God is faithful to reply according to His will. I pray because I believe in the power of prayer. I pray because I understand the privilege of prayer. I pray because I need intimacy with God; because I love others and I want to see hearts and lives transformed. Thank you for inspiring us to spend time with our Father.
My word this year is “disciple (discipline)”. I couldn’t settle on either one and since they go hand-in-hand, I went with both!
And i join you in prayer for the same reasons, Charla. Going with both seems like a wise choice to me. 🙂 Blessings, friend.
Just getting to this Cathy and thank you for one of the most important life-giving topics ever. I loved the perfect paper holds my imperfect words and I’d add to my perfect God. “Intentional” was my word. I was blessed reading. Thank you.
Amen, Marilyn! Thanks so much for taking the time to share. 🙂 Blessings!!
Ooo… I love your “Touchpoints of prayer” idea Ms. Cathy. There are so many mundane things I do each day around the farm; this is a great idea for me to incorporate more prayer prompts. Fill the feed buckets, pray over my cattle. Grab the scoop for cat and dog food; pray that Bubba doesn’t any of the barn cats. Wash pots and pans or unload the dishwasher; thank God for all His provision. Woo Hoo! The possibilities are endless! 🙂
Thank you, J.D. God is so good! (And no, Bubba! Please don’t eat the barn cats. 🙂
My word for this year is dwell. It ties in beautifully with your prayer ideas, Cathy. I’m drawn to pray because Almighty God, the Creator, is also Abba Father who calls us to Himself. Your touch points are practical reminders to pray without ceasing throughout the day.
I love your word for the year, Jeannie. You’re so right, there is no sweeter call than that of our heavenly Father’s. Thank you for taking the time to share. Blessings!