New Year’s Resolutions. It’s all the buzz when you hit Jan. 1. While at Mass this week, I heard a couple of stats that got me thinking. Only 9% of people who make resolutions will actually keep them through the year. However, the good news is, if you share and do a resolution with others, you are 5 times more likely to keep it.
Funny, just the other day, I saw first-hand how that accountability is so effective. I was feeling lazy and still in the Christmas vacation mode. I really wanted to head upstairs read and maybe take a little nap. Paul nudged me as he asked, “have you prayed yet today?” To be honest, I let out a little grumble. I hated to admit it, but he was right. With the late morning, I was out of my usual early morning prayer routine. I needed to die to my desires and prioritize my time with God first. I needed that nudge from Paul. Without it, I would have curled up with a book and forgot about praying.
This past year, I have really delved into deepening my prayer life and I look forward to continuing that journey. As demonstrated in the story above, I need a lot of help. Ha! Paul is a great source of help and accountability but I’m also very blessed for a spiritual director who’s been walking with me.
One of the fruits from this time in prayer this year was hearing the prompting from the Holy Spirit to create a 6-week prayer guide to accompany small groups using the Sacred Beauty Prayer Cards.
The small group format is designed to take time to listen in prayer using Visio and Lectio Divina and grow in the virtues of faith, hope and love. No preparation is needed. The prayer guide provides opening and closing prayers, text and an audio track for walking people through the Visio and Lectio Divina, time for contemplation/journaling and discussion questions.
The New Year is a great time to commit time to prayer. As with any new goal or resolution, we know how hard it is to carry it through on our own. Remember those stats I shared above? Seek out a friend or two to help you. Consider inviting a small group of friends to gather and pray together with the Sacred Beauty Prayer cards.
The prayer guide and audio tracks are available for FREE and can be downloaded HERE. You just need the prayer cards and you’re ready to go. Order your Sacred Beauty Prayer Cards HERE.
May God Bless you in 2024!