Pray Plan Pray

by Lydia Floren

On my recent trip to India, one of the leaders of IBL had these three words at the top of his whiteboard:  “Pray Plan Pray.”

I love this!  Pray first, then plan, and then pray through your plans.

You know, the New Year is just getting underway. This is an excellent time to look back and forward, and “pray plan pray.”

Here is one way you can do this:

Praying GRACE for the New Year

Give thanks for…

• Right now.
• Your life:  The past year.  The coming one.
• God’s presence and His goodness.
• All God has been doing, and all He continues to do.

Release…

• The past.  Disappointments.  Pain.  Resentment.  Regret.  Sin.  Shame.  Guilt.
• Expectations you have of others.  And that others might have of you.
• The future.  Fear.  Worry.  Uncertainty.

Accept…

• Where you are right now.
• Yourself as you are:  imperfect and in process.
• God’s love and forgiveness.
• God’s wisdom/direction for the coming year.
• Responsibilities God has already given you.
• Ownership of your life and your decisions.

Continue…

• Praying about your priorities and goals.
• Listening for God’s direction.
• Outlining plans for the year.
• Deciding which one or two habits to cultivate in the coming year.

Enjoy…

• Each day, recognizing it for the gift that it is.
• The process of prayerful planning.
• God’s constant presence with you, within you – loving you, leading you, touching others through you.

Praying GRACE is a wonderful way to start the year. But however you choose to dive in to 2016, don’t forget to Pray Plan Pray.

What plans have you made for the coming year?