There’s something about a new year that makes us stop and think.

What do I want this year to look like?

What do I want to change?

What do I want to grow in?

What do I want to leave behind?

Maybe you've chosen a Word of the Year before.

Perhaps you picked a word like peace, faith, joy, rest, discipline, or purpose.

Maybe it helped you stay focused throughout the year.

Or maybe you chose a word in January and completely forgot about it by March.

And that's okay.

Choosing a Word of the Year isn't about finding the perfect word or creating another spiritual goal to accomplish.

It can be something much simpler.

A way to pause.

A way to pray.

A way to ask God:

“Lord, what are You inviting me to pay attention to in this season?”

That's a very different approach.

Instead of choosing a word because it sounds good, we can invite God into the process.

We can search Scripture.

We can listen.

We can reflect on where we've been and ask where He may be leading us.

So let's slow down and walk through how to choose a Word of the Year through prayer.

Your Word Doesn't Have to Be a Resolution

I think this is important to say first.

Your Word of the Year isn't another resolution.

You don't need to accomplish your word.

You don't need to check it off a list.

You don't need to prove that you've mastered it by December.

Instead, think of your word as an invitation.

An invitation to pay attention to something God may be highlighting in your life.

If your word is peace, you're not promising that you will never feel anxious again.

You may simply be asking God to teach you how to trust Him more deeply.

If your word is rest, you're not promising that you'll never have a busy day.

You're asking God to teach you how to stop striving and receive His presence.

If your word is faith, you're not promising that you'll never doubt.

You're asking God to help you trust Him when you cannot see what He's doing.

That's why prayer matters.

The word isn't the goal.

Jesus is the goal.

Start by Looking Back

Before you choose a word for the year ahead, take some time to look back.

Not with regret.

Not with criticism.

With gratitude and honesty.

Ask yourself:

What did God teach me this past year?

Maybe you learned something about patience.

Maybe you walked through a difficult season.

Maybe God taught you how to wait.

Maybe you learned to surrender something you had been holding tightly.

Maybe you discovered that you needed more rest.

Maybe God showed you that you were trying to control things you needed to place in His hands.

Maybe the past year was beautiful.

Maybe it was painful.

Maybe it was a little of both.

Take your time.

Look for the ways God was present.

Lamentations 3:22–23 reminds us that God's steadfast love never ceases and that His mercies are new every morning.

Before we think about the next year, we can pause and say:

“Thank You, God, for bringing me this far.”

That gratitude changes the way we look forward.

We're not starting from nothing.

We're starting from God's faithfulness.

Ask God What He Wants to Grow

This is where choosing a Word of the Year becomes a little different.

Instead of asking only:

“What do I want to improve?”

Ask:

“Jesus, what do You want to grow in me?”

That's a powerful question.

Because the things we want and the things God wants to develop in us aren't always the same.

We might want more success.

God might be growing contentment.

We might want more opportunities.

God might be developing patience.

We might want bigger results.

God might be teaching faithfulness in small things.

We might want everything to happen quickly.

God might be teaching us to wait.

This doesn't mean our desires are wrong.

It simply means we invite God into them.

Galatians 5 speaks about the fruit of the Spirit—qualities like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

As you pray about your Word of the Year, consider those qualities.

Is there one that keeps coming to mind?

Is there one that seems connected to the season you're entering?

Perhaps God is inviting you to slow down.

Perhaps He's teaching you to trust.

Perhaps He's reminding you to remain rooted in Him.

Pay attention.

Don't Choose Your Word Too Quickly

Sometimes we're tempted to pick the first word that comes to mind.

And maybe that's the right word.

But there's no need to rush.

Spend some time praying.

Write down several possibilities.

Look at Scripture.

Think about what you've been learning.

Ask God to give you clarity.

You might even write a simple prayer:

“Jesus, if there is a word You want me to carry into this year, please make it clear. Help me choose something that draws me closer to You rather than simply making me feel more productive.”

Then wait.

Sometimes clarity comes immediately.

Sometimes it comes slowly.

And sometimes you may not feel completely certain.

That's okay too.

Your relationship with God doesn't depend on choosing the perfect word.

Let Scripture Shape Your Word

Once you have a few possible words, open your Bible.

This is one of my favorite parts of the process.

If you're considering peace, spend time in passages about God's peace.

Philippians 4:6–7 is a beautiful place to begin.

If you're considering trust, read Proverbs 3:5–6.

If you're considering rest, spend time with Matthew 11:28–30.

If you're thinking about abiding, read John 15.

If you're considering hope, look at Romans 15:13.

If you're thinking about faith, read Hebrews 11.

Don't just search for a verse that contains your word.

Ask a deeper question:

“What does Scripture teach me about this?”

Your Word of the Year should lead you back to God's Word.

That's what makes it meaningful.

Pay Attention to What Keeps Coming Up

Sometimes God gets our attention through repetition.

You keep hearing the same Scripture.

The same theme appears during your Bible study.

A particular passage keeps coming back to mind.

A friend says something that speaks directly to what you've been praying about.

You notice the same theme in your prayers.

None of this means we should treat every coincidence as a message from God.

But we can pay attention.

We can bring those things back to prayer.

Ask:

“Lord, is there something You are inviting me to notice?”

Don't force an answer.

Just listen.

Your Word May Be Different Than You Expected

This is another reason prayer matters.

Your Word of the Year may not be the word you would have chosen for yourself.

Maybe you were hoping for increase, but God keeps bringing surrender to mind.

Maybe you wanted confidence, but you're sensing an invitation toward humility.

Maybe you wanted achievement, but God is highlighting rest.

Maybe you wanted change, but He's teaching you faithfulness.

That can be uncomfortable.

But sometimes the word we need most isn't the one that sounds the most exciting.

It may be the one that gently exposes an area where God wants to work.

And remember, God doesn't expose something to shame us.

He invites us into growth.

Choose a Scripture to Go With Your Word

Once you settle on your word, choose a Scripture to accompany it.

This gives your word a biblical foundation.

For example:

Word: Trust

Proverbs 3:5–6

Word: Peace

Philippians 4:6–7

Word: Abide

John 15:4

Word: Hope

Romans 15:13

Word: Strength

Isaiah 41:10

Word: Rest

Matthew 11:28–30

Word: Faithfulness

Galatians 6:9

Word: Joy

Psalm 16:11

Your Scripture doesn't have to become a verse you memorize perfectly.

Let it become something you return to.

Write it in your journal.

Put the reference somewhere you'll see it.

Pray through it.

Come back to it when you need encouragement.

Turn Your Word Into a Prayer

This is where your Word of the Year can become something you actually live with.

Instead of simply writing your word on a piece of paper, turn it into a prayer.

If your word is peace, you might pray:

“Jesus, teach me to trust You when I feel overwhelmed. Help me remember that Your peace doesn't depend on everything around me being calm.”

If your word is faith, you might pray:

“Lord, help me trust You when I cannot see the next step. Teach me to follow You even when I don't have all the answers.”

If your word is rest, you might pray:

“Jesus, help me stop striving. Teach me to receive Your presence instead of believing I always have to be doing something.”

Your prayer may change throughout the year.

That's okay.

Your understanding of the word may grow as you grow.

Look for Your Word in Everyday Life

One of the best ways to keep your Word of the Year meaningful is to notice it in ordinary life.

Let's say your word is patience.

You may begin noticing how often you feel rushed.

You might recognize situations where you're easily frustrated.

You may find yourself praying differently when things don't happen on your schedule.

If your word is gratitude, you may start noticing little blessings you previously overlooked.

If your word is trust, you may recognize how often you try to control outcomes.

If your word is peace, you may begin noticing the things that steal your peace and bringing them to Jesus sooner.

Your word becomes a lens.

Not a rule.

A reminder.

Don't Turn Your Word Into Pressure

Please hear this.

You are not failing because you have a difficult day.

You're not failing because you forget your word for a week.

You're not failing because you struggle with the very thing you hoped would grow in you.

Spiritual growth isn't always a straight line.

There will be progress.

There will be setbacks.

There will be days when you feel close to God and days when you feel distracted.

That's part of walking with Jesus.

The goal isn't perfection.

It's returning.

Return to Scripture.

Return to prayer.

Return to Jesus.

Return to the truth of what God is teaching you.

Your Word of the Year isn't a test.

It's a gentle reminder of where you're asking God to work.

Create a Simple Word of the Year Page

Once you've chosen your word, create one simple page in your journal.

Write:

My Word:
[Your word]

My Scripture:
[Your passage]

Why I believe God is highlighting this:
[Your thoughts]

My prayer for this year:
[Your prayer]

What I want to remember:
[Your reminder]

Then leave some space underneath.

Come back throughout the year.

Write down moments when your word becomes meaningful.

Record prayers.

Write what you're learning.

Notice growth.

Notice challenges.

Notice God's faithfulness.

By the end of the year, you may discover that your word meant much more than you originally realized.

Questions to Help You Pray Through Your Word

Before settling on your word, spend some quiet time with these questions:

• What did God teach me during the past year?
• Where have I seen His faithfulness?
• What area of my life feels like it needs His attention?
• What fruit of the Spirit do I want God to develop in me?
• What am I currently learning about God?
• What have I been praying about repeatedly?
• Is there a word or theme that keeps appearing in my Bible reading?
• What do I need to surrender as I enter this new year?
• What would draw me closer to Jesus rather than simply make me more productive?
• What Scripture could help anchor me in the year ahead?

Don't rush through these.

Take them into prayer.

You might even spend several days thinking about them.

A Prayer for Choosing Your Word of the Year

Jesus,

Thank You for bringing me into another year.

Thank You for Your faithfulness through every season behind me and for Your presence in everything ahead.

As I think about choosing a Word of the Year, I don't want to simply choose something that sounds good.

I want to invite You into the process.

Show me what You want me to notice.

Show me what You want to grow in me.

If there is an area of my heart that needs Your attention, help me see it with humility and grace.

If there is something You are inviting me to surrender, help me let it go.

If there is something You want me to pursue, give me courage to follow You.

Lead me through Your Word.

Quiet the noise around me so I can listen.

Help me not to choose from pressure, comparison, or the desire to become someone I'm not.

Remind me that You are not asking me to become perfect.

You are inviting me to walk with You.

Whatever word I carry into this year, let it point me back to Jesus.

Let it remind me of Your character.

Let it lead me into prayer.

Let it help me notice what You are doing.

And when I forget, help me begin again.

I trust You with this year.

I trust You with my growth.

I trust You with the things I cannot see.

Amen.

Let Your Word Point You Back to Jesus

Choosing a Word of the Year can be a beautiful tradition.

But the word itself isn't what changes us.

Jesus does.

Your word is simply a reminder.

A place to pause.

A theme to pray through.

A Scripture to return to.

A way of noticing what God may be doing in your heart.

So don't put pressure on yourself to find the perfect word.

Pray.

Listen.

Look through Scripture.

Pay attention.

And if a word keeps coming back to your heart, take it to Jesus.

Maybe your word will be hope.

Maybe peace.

Maybe trust.

Maybe surrender.

Maybe rest.

Maybe faithfulness.

Maybe abide.

Maybe it will be something completely different.

Whatever it is, let it lead you closer to Him.

Because at the end of the year, the most important question won't be:

“Did I live my word perfectly?”

It will be:

“Did I grow closer to Jesus?”

That's where the beauty is.

One prayer.

One Scripture.

One day.

One surrendered step at a time.

Begin Your Year in Prayer

If you want a simple way to spend intentional time with God as you begin the year, the Cozy Bible Study Journal Freebie can help you create that space.

Use it as you pray over your Word of the Year.

Write down what God is showing you.

Record the Scriptures that speak to your heart.

Bring your hopes and questions to Him.

And give yourself permission to slow down.

You don't have to figure everything out at once.

Start with prayer. Start with Jesus. Start one day at a time.

Trust the Gardener with Your Growth

As you choose your Word of the Year, remember that growth takes time.

We often want to see immediate change.

God is often doing something deeper beneath the surface.

That's why the Trusting the Gardener 30-Day Journey is such a fitting companion for a new year.

Think about a garden.

A gardener knows what needs to be planted.

What needs to be watered.

What needs pruning.

What needs time.

The plant doesn't have to figure it all out.

It simply needs to remain where the gardener has placed it.

In the same way, you don't have to know exactly how God will grow you this year.

You can trust Him.

Let your Word remind you.

Let Scripture anchor you.

Let prayer keep you close.

And let God be the Gardener.

Because He knows what He's doing.

So as you step into this new year, don't worry about becoming a completely different person overnight.

Ask Jesus what He wants to grow.

Choose your word prayerfully.

Open your Bible.

And then keep walking with Him.

The goal isn't a perfect year.

The goal is a deeper walk with Jesus.

And that is always a beautiful place to begin.