Dave's Diary

This is an edited version of a post I first published at the end of 2021. It draws inspiration from the 24-7 prayer “Annual Examen”.

Whether 2024 has been the best of times or the worst of times, we can rest assured that “our times are in His hands.” (Psalm 31:15) The LORD our God and King has been present every moment of our lives this year. He has been lovingly at work to protect and provide, encourage and empower, direct and deliver, correct and comfort, forgive and forget, restore and renew, and so much more.

If you’d like to take some time during the last few days of 2024 to deliberately remember the Lord’s work in our lives this past 365 days, here’s a suggestion of how to do it.

Ready …

Set aside an hour or two of your day. Take your diary and/or journal and your Bible to a quiet spot where you can spend undisturbed time with the Lord.

Once settled in to your “sacred space” quieten your heart and mind by focusing on the presence of God Who is with you. If “breath prayers” work well for you (as they do for me) then spend a few minutes becoming still by praying the following prayer in rhythm with your breathing:

“Lord, my life // is in Your hands”.

Remember …

Ask the Lord to guide your memory to recall the most significant moments and events of your life this past year. Scan your diary and/or journal. As you identify those events or moments make a note of them and also of the emotions or thoughts that accompany them. Some will be positive. Others will be negative. At this point you are simply remembering them in the presence of the Lord Who was present in each of those moments too.

Is there a Bible verse that significantly reflects your experience of 2024? If so, be sure to record it and meditate on it for a while.

Rejoice …

Take time, in light of the above memories, to identify reasons for rejoicing. When and how did you experience God’s presence in those moments? What characteristics of God became evident to you through these moments/events? Praise the Lord! What good things have you received from the Lord’s hand through these events/moments? Thank the Lord! How have you come to know and love the Lord more deeply through them? Express your love to Him.

Here it may also be helpful to ponder whether there is a worship song or hymn or verse of Scripture that sums up your rejoicing and then sing it or read it aloud to the Lord.

Repent …

Take time, in light of the above memories, to repent of sin. After all, unless you’re wearing rose-coloured spectacles, the memories of the past year will also have brought conviction at some point. Take each of these memories to the Lord in prayer, expressing remorse for shortcomings and sin, and a determination to live in a more Christ-like way in future. Be deliberate about releasing these sins to the Lord Jesus and trust in his gracious forgiveness – so powerfully guaranteed by His self-sacrificial death which atoned for those very sins. Receive His ministry of forgiveness and cleansing.

Read and remind yourself of the truth of 1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Recommit …

Somehow it seems to me that resolutions are far less useful than a sincere recommitment of our lives to the Lordship of Jesus. How about reflecting on the Methodist Covenant Prayer as one very meaningful (and all-encompassing) form of recommitment, and then using it for a moment of personal recommitment to Christ’s Lordship as you stand on the doorstep of 2025.

Take as long as you need to slowly and deliberately consider the implications of the Covenant Prayer (below). Then, if you feel able, pray the words of the Covenant Prayer in all sincerity.

I am no longer my own but yours.
Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing, put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you,
exalted for you, or brought low for you;
let me be full, let me be empty,
let me have all things, let me have nothing:
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessèd God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours.
And the covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

~ The Methodist Covenant Prayer