Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

As the year draws slowly to a close, each day presents itself as a “time to be silent” and a “time to search” – a time to reflect on the year that has just passed, and to look ahead to the coming year. Over the next three days (Wednesday to Friday) the blog post will offer a suggestion for this kind of prayerful reflection and anticipation. I suggest that we each set aside time each day to pray and reflect deliberately in the way outlined in the post; but also take time on Saturday or Sunday to repeat the entire exercise in one longer period of reflection.

Each day, begin with a time of preparation. Today, ask the LORD to help you see your year through His eyes, opening your heart to possibly see and hear your year differently to what you might expect. Invite the Holy Spirit to lead and guide this time, lighting a candle to symbolise His presence with you. Maybe approach your year one month at a time, using your diary and journal if you have one.

Today, specifically reflect on the year that has been, for the purpose of gratitude. What are you especially thankful for from the past year? It could be an event, a specific relationship, an area of personal growth, an answered prayer or even simple things like the beauty of nature. Pay attention particularly to the ways in which you are able to sense that God grew you spiritually or used you for the extension of His Kingdom.

Heavenly Father, bless each of us as we pursue this brief season of reflection and prayer together. May my fellow-pilgrims who follow this devotional blog be richly blessed as they take time to reflect on the year and seek to perceive and aknowledge Your hand at work in their lives. Amen.

These “Changing of the Year” blog posts are inspired by the annual examen published by 24-7 Prayer Scotland.