A practical, prayerful guide to choosing your word of the year. Includes reflection questions, biblical word ideas, Scripture references, and simple ways to use your word throughout the year.
Every December, I start sensing a gentle pull toward the new year.
Not the “fix everything at once” New Year’s Resolution energy that used to exhaust me, but a quieter invitation.
A nudge to notice what God is doing under the surface. A desire to step into the next season with intention instead of fad-driven hype or pressure.
That is why I choose a word, phrase, or Scripture for each year. Not as a resolution. Not as a personal improvement assignment. But as a way of tuning my heart to God’s presence and aligning my focuses and priorities with Him.
These focuses have become anchors for me. They help me sort through the noise of all the genuinely good things in life. Opportunities, ideas, invitations, and needs… all wonderful, but all capable of overwhelming me if I do not filter them.
A yearly focus gives me clarity. It helps me return to what matters most in the season I am actually living.
My Yearly Focuses from the Past Few Years
Here are a few examples of my own words and phrases I’ve chosen as my focuses over the past few years.
2026: Slow, calm, attentive, willing
I don’t know yet what 2026 holds, but I chose these words because I’ve been feeling frantic and fractured with an overly full plate. My goal is to slow down, be more fully present (with my kids, in my friendships, in my work…), and ask the Lord to continually draw the most important things in this season to the surface. There have been a lot of new opportunities coming my way recently that I feel so unqualified for, but I want to have a willing heart that is not held back by my own fears and insecurities.
2025: Trust, dwell, delight (from Psalm 37:3-5)
This was a year that held some difficult endings for me, and I clung so fiercely to Psalm 37:3-5 and dove so deeply into the verses that I ended up writing my first wholehearted Bible study on it! I learned how to dwell in His presence and find delight with an open-handed posture of trust, even in the midst of some very tough situations.
2024: Perceptive, sincere, safe, discerning, bright
This was a pivotal year for me, learning how to more sensitively tune into God’s voice, notice His presence, and allow myself to lean into the safety of His arms.
2023: Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
I am an avid rule-follower and planner, which I’d taken to some extremes where I was unintentionally depending on my own works and energy and productivity. I desperately needed this year to lift my eyes from staring down at my feet to looking up at the Lord, where grace and my help come from.
Each one has shaped my year in its own surprising way.
You do not have to choose as many words as I sometimes do. One word, one phrase, or one Scripture is more than enough!
How to Discern Your Word, Phrase, or Scripture for the Year
Choosing a focus for the year doesn’t have to carry all the pressure to get it “right.”
It is not a spiritual test. It is simply a gentle invitation to notice what feels important right now.
When I start praying about a new year, I do not sit down and force a word to appear. I start by paying attention to what is already bubbling up.
And you’re not locked into this. I’ve changed my words mid-year before when they just didn’t seem to fit and I give you full permission to do the same.
Here are the questions I ask myself each December. You may find them helpful too.
Questions To Help You Settle On Your Word
- What Scriptures have been on my mind recently?
- Have any worship song lyrics been stuck in my head on repeat?
- Do I notice any patterns in what has been coming up in my conversations, prayers, or thoughts?
- What feels important in this particular season of my life?
- Where do I sense God inviting me to soften, trust, or pay attention?
- What would it look like for me right now to show up as my best self?
- What am I aching for most in my current struggles?
Usually, a few words or phrases begin to rise to the surface. I sit with them, pray through them, write them, say them out loud, and give them a little bit of time before making it official.
Word and Phrase Ideas For Your Year
(with Scripture or Song References Where Applicable)**
If you feel stuck, it can be helpful to simply read through possible words and notice what draws your attention.
Here is a list of words and phrases, along with Scriptures or hymn lines where they naturally connect. Some are more straightforward, some are a little more out of the box. Try them on and see what resonates!
- attentive (Proverbs 4:20)
- awake (Ephesians 5:14)
- anchored (Hebrews 6:19)
- unrushed (Isaiah 28:16)
- softened (Ezekiel 36:26)
- steady (Psalm 112:7)
- wholehearted (Psalm 119:10)
- tender (Ephesians 4:32)
- perceptive (Philippians 1:9)
- rooted (Ephesians 3:17)
- equipped (Hebrews 13:21)
- surrendered (James 4:7)
- willing (Psalm 51:12)
- present (Psalm 46:1)
- bright (Matthew 5:14)
- grounded (Colossians 1:23)
- honest (Psalm 51:6)
- receptive (1 Samuel 3:10)
- gentle (Matthew 11:29)
- attuned (John 10:27)
- sincere (2 Corinthians 1:12)
- expectant (Psalm 5:3)
- aligned (Proverbs 3:5–6)
- settled (1 Peter 5:10)
- quiet (Isaiah 30:15)
- courageous (Joshua 1:9)
- nourished (John 6:35)
- aware (Psalm 139:1–4)
- open-handed (Psalm 145:16)
- upheld (Psalm 63:8)
- steady (Psalm 112:7)
- abide (John 15:4)
- guarded (Philippians 4:7)
- safe (Proverbs 18:10)
- unhurried delight (Psalm 37:4)
- held (Isaiah 41:10)
- listening (Luke 10:39)
- beholding (Psalm 27:4)
- intentional (Colossians 3:2)
- guided (Psalm 23:3)
- steadied (Psalm 40:2)
- noticing (Psalm 139:23–24)
- faithful attention (Hebrews 2:1)
- here I am (1 Samuel 3:4)
- restored (Psalm 23:3)
- spirit-led (Romans 8:14)
- dwell deeply (Psalm 27:4)
- softened heart (Ezekiel 36:26)
- renewed mind (Romans 12:2)
- softened edges (Colossians 3:12–14)
- withness (Matthew 1:23)
- connected (John 15:5)
- joy (John 15:11)
- guided steps (Psalm 37:23)
- lightened load (Matthew 11:28–30)
- beloved (Isaiah 43:4, and the song lyric, “I am loved by You… it is who I am”)
- resilient (2 Corinthians 4:8–9)
- honest rest (Matthew 11:28)
- sheltered (Psalm 91:1)
- steadfast (Psalm 136)
- faithful rhythms (Acts 2:42)
- unclenched (Philippians 4:6)
- satisfied (Psalm 90:14)
- still waters (Psalm 23:2)
- secure (Psalm 16:8)
- one small change (Zechariah 4:10)
- unhurried mercy (Psalm 145:8)
- blessed (Matthew 5:3–10)
- tender (Matthew 12:20)
- the better portion (Luke 10:42)
- firm footing (Psalm 40:2)
- full of grace (John 1:14)
- teachable (Psalm 25:4)
- patient (Galatians 5:22)
- surrounded by holy (Psalm 125:2)
- return (Isaiah 30:15)
- mercy in motion (Micah 6:8)
- quiet obedience (Psalm 119:33)
- restored joy (Psalm 51:12)
- teach me Your ways (Psalm 86:11)
- humble confidence (Proverbs 3:26)
- rooted (Ephesians 3:17)
- breathe deep (Genesis 2:7)
- steady hands (Exodus 17:12)
- uncluttered (Hebrews 12:1)
- trusting (Isaiah 26:3)
- lean in (Proverbs 3:5)
- Spirit-led (Romans 8:14)
- simplicity (1 Timothy 6:6)
- rekindled hope (Romans 15:13)
- seeing clearly (Psalm 119:18)
- forgiving (Colossians 3:13)
- steadfast love (Psalm 136)
- guided by peace (Colossians 3:15)
- softened gaze (Matthew 6:22)
- sincere devotion (2 Corinthians 11:3)
- You have provided (Philippians 4:19)
- simple (Micah 6:8)
- hope that endures (1 Corinthians 13:7)
- humble strength (2 Corinthians 12:9)
- presence (Psalm 16:11)
- clear-minded (1 Peter 4:7)
- living water (John 4:14)
- reshaped desires (Psalm 37:4)
- faithful attention (Hebrews 2:1)
- trimmed branches (John 15:2)
- holy surrender (Romans 12:1)
- uncluttered heart (Psalm 86:11)
- close to Your heart (Psalm 34:18)
- steady delight (Psalm 37:4)
- long-suffering love (Exodus 34:6)
- renewed hunger (Matthew 5:6)
- light for my path (Psalm 119:105)
- steadfast gaze (Hebrews 12:2)
- safe within (Psalm 91:1)
- realigned (Psalm 51:10)
- ordered loves (Matthew 22:37)
- first things first (Matthew 6:33)
- the narrow way (Matthew 7:14)
- tender discipline (Hebrews 12:6)
- trusting slow (Isaiah 28:16)
- soul-deep honesty (Psalm 51:6)
- chosen portion (Psalm 16:5)
- courage for today (Matthew 6:34)
- He restores my soul (Psalm 23:3)
- softened defenses (Psalm 139:23–24)
- quiet repentance (Acts 3:19)
- with all my heart (Psalm 119:10)
- deeper still (Psalm 42:7)
- slow to speak (James 1:19)
- slow to anger (James 1:19)
- hidden work (Matthew 6:6)
- willing heart (Exodus 35:5)
You might notice that you are drawn to a word before you even fully understand why. Roll with it! I love when that happens and the Lord slowly makes it make sense as the year goes on.
What to Do After You Choose Your Word(s)
Choosing your focus is only the beginning. The transformation comes as you remember it (that’s my husband’s struggle 😂) and carry it with you into your actual, ordinary life.
Here are a few suggestions based on some ways I use my words throughout the year.
Write it during your quiet time
I write mine at the top of my journaling page every morning. It’s a sweet reminder of my priorities, grounding me as I start each day.
It gently redirects my attention to the most important things instead of the loudest things.
Use it as a filter for decisions
I ask myself questions like, “Does this align with the focus God has given me for this year? Will this pull me toward God or scatter my attention? How can I live out my words in this situation?“
Not every good thing is meant for this season.
Watch for it in unexpected places
Scripture. Conversations. A lyric. A sermon. A gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit.
I can’t even tell you how many times my words or phrases have made unexpected appearances in the most unlikely places.
Pray it regularly
This is one of my favorite ways to weave my words into real life. I pray my words almost every single day in ways like this,
- “Lord, how can I trust you more with this situation?”
- “God, show me what trust looks like here.”
- “Father, I know You are trustworthy. Please guide my next steps.”
- “I can feel my lack of trust here, Lord. Help me grow in your power and not my own.”
Allow Gentle Growth
Your word is not a project. It is a posture. Let it unfold slowly throughout the year.
A Blessing For Your Year
As you look toward this new year, I pray you will feel more invited than pressured.
I pray the Lord gently brings to the surface a word, phrase, or Scripture that fits this season of your life. Not the season you wish you were in, but the one you are actually walking through right now. May it feel like a quiet “yes” in your spirit when you see it.
When good opportunities come that are not yours to carry, I pray your word helps you release them without guilt. When hard things come that you did not choose, I pray your word helps you remember you are not facing them alone.
May this focus become an anchor for you. Something that brings you back, again and again, to the steady, kind heart of God.
Amen.
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