Review the Past and Preview the New Year 

Congratulations and welcome to a new year!

At the start of every new year or season, there is something wise and necessary to do, pause and reflect.

In our churches and fellowships, God often speaks about what lies ahead, via His Word and His servants. We hear declarations, themes, and instructions. All of that is important. But beyond the general word, God is also very interested in how you personally step into your new year, your new season. Whether this new year is a calendar year (January) or it is your birth year or wedding anniversary, it is your new year, your new season.

Now, one truth that cuts across every season is this, every promise has a premise.

Every Promise has a Premise. 

Every promise of God comes with a premise and if we desire to have the promises being fulfilled in our lives, then we must pay attention to the premise, the condition for getting the promise. So as God declares to you in different places, a recurring call across seasons is this, to walk in a deeper relationship with Jesus and to abide more consciously in His presence.

This year, God’s presence & spirit will cause things to happen effortlessly for those who are friends of the Holy Spirit. You will walk and work with greater clarity and grace, because God’s presence makes the difference. May the Lord do all he has said unto each and every one of us IJN!

The Power of Reviewing the Past Year

Now, one of the best things you can do for yourself at the transition of every new year is to do a review of the outgoing year and a preview of the incoming year.

Reviewing means taking honest stock of where you are and how the previous season unfolded. 

It involves identifying what you are grateful for, acknowledging God’s faithfulness, and recognising the lessons He taught you along the way. Some principles are worth carrying forward and strengthening. Others are warnings, habits, or patterns that must be left behind.

So beloved, ask yourself, what did God teach me? What principles did I learn, which I must continue to live by? On the other hand, what must I run away from, and what must I consciously avoid?

The Discipline of Previewing the New Year

Next, previewing is to look forward prayerfully to the new year. It is a time to ask God thoughtful questions about the season ahead – what will this year look like? What is He emphasising in my walk with Him? What growth does God desire to see? What responsibilities, assignments, or labour is He calling me into?

This is also the place to clarify aspirations, commitments, and prayer burdens. What principles must guide my decisions? What must not be compromised? What direction is God setting before me?

Beyond the Calendar Year

This practice is not limited to the start of a calendar year. It is equally valuable at birthdays and other personal milestones. Such moments are more than occasions for celebration, eating and partying. Beyond the thanksgiving, they are invitations to reflection, alignment, and renewal.

Of course, while general guidance may come through corporate teachings and the general ‘word of the year’ that comes from God’s servant, God has something deliberate to say to you as His personal child, that will set you up and going and bring focus and stability for the new year ahead.

Why is this important?

Reviewing and previewing is critical as it sets a direction for you. This would not be done by merely planning or setting goals, neither is it just a new year’s resolution list. It is a prayerful and thoughtful process. It is done after you have prayed & discovered from God what should be done. 

When done well, it will guide you. It will help you make wise choices, recognise distractions, and walk intentionally in God’s purpose, even in the small, everyday decisions.

 So your assignment is… 

Prayerfully and thoughtfully reflect over & write down a Review, Preview and Prayer points for the new year.

In the next post, I will suggest 5 categories that will guide you in your review and preview for this new year. From these, issues of prayer for the year ahead will begin to arise in your heart.

It’s time to pause, listen and align…