Family or Small Group New Year Prayer & Reflection Guide
Here is a simple guided time or prayer and reflection you can lead your family or small group through as you reflect on the past year and prepare for the next!
Time Needed: 10-20 minutes
Supplies: A candle, paper and crayons or markers
Introduction:
As a family or small group, the new year is a special time to pause, reflect, and pray together. This simple and engaging guide will help you thank God for the past year, ask for His forgiveness and guidance, and dedicate the coming year to Him.
Find a cozy spot in your home where you can gather without distractions. Light a candle to remind everyone that Jesus is the Light of the World, and prepare your hearts to listen to God as you pray, draw, and share together.
Step 1: Light a Candle (1 minute)
Light a candle together.
Leader:
Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’ Let’s invite His light into our hearts and home as we reflect and pray for the new year.”
Step 2: Reflect on the Past Year (5 minutes)
Leader:
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22–23
Guided Prayer:
Ask the Lord to speak and bring things to mind for the following questions, then go around and share!
A moment this year where you felt happy, blessed, or cared for by God.
A testimony where God answered a prayer or showed himself in a new way!
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Confession:
Dear God, thank You for all the good things You gave us this year, like [name specific blessings shared ]. We’re sorry for the times we made wrong choices. Please forgive us and help us follow You better this year. Amen.
Creative Activity:
Have each person draw a picture of something they are thankful for from the past year. Go around and share what each person drew.
Step 3: Pray for the New Year (5 minutes)
Leader:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.- Proverbs 3:5-6
Guided Prayer:
Ask the Lord to speak and bring things to mind for the following questions, then go around and share!
Something I can do this year to serve God or others.
Something new I can learn or pray for this year.
A theme verse or word to focus on this upcoming year
Prayer for the New Year:
Dear God, we give You this new year. Please help us to trust You and follow You in all that we do. We pray for [mention the hopes or needs shared]. Thank You for being with us every step of the way. Amen.
Creative Activity:
On a piece of paper, write the new year’s number (e.g., "2025") in big numbers. Inside the first number they can write a way they can help others this year, the second is something to learn, the third is something to pray for and the last is a theme word or verse.
Step 4: Closing Blessing (1 minute)
Leader:
Let’s bless each other as we begin this new year. I’ll say a blessing, and we can say, ‘Amen’ together.
Blessing:
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ Numbers 6:24-26
Blow out the candle together and end with a family hug!
