New Year\’s Resolutions
By Companion Jack A. Holloway
Illustrious Associate Grand Chaplain, Grand Council of Florida

New Year\’s Resolutions
(Public Domain)

\”Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.\” -Philippians 4:6-7

Companions,

What could be a better new year\’s resolution than daily taking Paul\’s advice of praying to God with supplication and thanksgiving? The work supplication implies asking something for ourselves whereas intercessional prayers are in behalf of others. Throughout the Bible, we are often told to ask for the help of God. The Psalms are full of examples of prayers by people who had the same problems we have. A recent study found around 80 percent of people fail to keep their new year\’s resolutions and according to the study key factors in this poor performance are a lack of motivation and unrealistic expectations. What more effective motivation could we have than the peace of God guarding our hearts and minds? What more realistic expectations than the promises of God? Let us resolve to pray early and often and trust in God to comfort us in all our troubles. An old church prayer many of us are familiar with is used as a daily family prayer but could just as well be thought of as a supplication for a year or event of lifetimes.

O LORD, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy grant us safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at last. Amen.