Can you believe it? The New Year is almost here! Now is the best time to grow in the place of prayer and pray blessings over your new year. God is the God of vision, hope, and His word even says that He has plans to prosper you and not to harm you (Jeremiah 29:11-13)! In this blog, you’ll discover why New Year blessings prayers are so powerful, read Bible verses on the new year, and even read examples of blessing prayers for your new year to speak God’s words of blessing, favor, health, and breakthrough over the next 365 days.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11
This Bible verse for the new year is full of promises about God's character, love, and perspective. Jeremiah 29:11 is a perfect blessing prayer for the new year because it reminds our souls that God has plans for us and that those plans are good. God's plans are meant to prosper us, not to harm us. And the best part? No matter what comes our way, this prayer of blessings for the new year, assures us that God has plans that give us a hope and a future. So, no matter what comes up, God has promises just for you that are full of hope and a bright future.
Thanking God for Blessings
Gratitude is one of the most powerful things in the world. Even though thanking God for His blessings can sometimes feel like a struggle, it’s actually good for us (and our brains) to practice gratitude. When you thank God for your blessings, you’re simultaneously speaking blessings for your new year. The best prayers always start with thanksgiving and praise. Not only are these blessing prayers honoring God, they're also aligning our hearts to a place of reverence for what God has already done for us. Here are some examples of blessing prayers for the New Year that start with thanksgiving and gratitude:
Thanksgiving Prayer: Father, I thank you for helping me through this year. I thank you for my family and my friends. I thank you for my work and for how you’ve always provided for my needs. I thank you for every trial that I’ve overcome and for every lesson I’ve learned because of it. Thank you for showing me the way when I didn’t know where to go and for showing your love to me in new ways. Thank you in advance for leading me well in this new year. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Gratitude Prayer: God, I thank you that you are always interceding for me (Hebrews 7:25). I praise you because your word says that you have good plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11-13)! This past year, I was able to see how your hand takes what the enemy meant for evil and turns it for good because of your awesome ways (Genesis 50:20). Thank you for how you led me spiritually throughout this last year. As I look towards the New Year, I honor you for being the God who has my best interests in mind. I thank you for your love, and I praise you because you’re a good Father who gives good gifts to his children (James 1:17). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
As you can see, these examples of blessing prayers for the new year show us just how easy it is to to get caught up in thanksgiving and gratitude. God is so good and it’s amazing how much of His goodness we see when we pause and look to Him. Even as you’re praying for blessings for the new year, it’s important to remember that you desire God more than the blessings He can give you.
Next, we’ll show you how to ask God for forgiveness and renewal as you learn more about blessing prayers for the new year.
Asking God for Forgiveness & Renewal
If you’re searching for a prayer for a blessed new year, it’s important to refresh your relationship with God. If you’ve never given your life to Jesus before, it’s easy. For more information on how to surrender your life to Jesus and receive the free gift of salvation, head to our blog: This is For You!
If you’re already walking with God, prayers for forgiveness and renewal are still an awesome way to start the new year off on the right foot. Here are two sample prayers for new year blessings based on forgiveness and renewal:
Forgiveness Prayer: Father, I thank you that you are slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. I honor you because you have already separated my sin from me as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:2). Before I feel forgiven, I praise you because I am forgiven, because of Jesus, your perfect son. Thank you for loving the world so much that you gave your only son to save us (John 3:16). I thank you and honor you for this precious gift! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Renewal Prayer: Father, as I pray for the New Year, I praise you because you make all things new (Revelation 21:5). I thank you that you take what the enemy meant for evil and you turn it for my good (Genesis 50:20). During this new year, I pray that you’d give me grace to seek your face more than I did last year. I also pray that you’d give me the strength to follow your leadership and obey your word in this new year. Thank you for this time for refreshing and renewal. Thank you for keeping me on the narrow way this year and keeping me in awe of your awesome love (Matthew 7:14). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Now that you’ve discovered how forgiveness and renewal prayers serve also as blessing prayers for the new year, we’re going to see how your prayers of blessing can extend to your family, friends, and even those you disagree with.
Related post: How Do I Love Someone I Disagree With?
Prayers of Blessings for Family & Friends
As you’re discovering blessing prayers for the new year, we encourage you not to keep those prayers of blessing to yourself – extend them to your family, friends, and even your enemies!Did you know that Jesus said to love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44)?
Discover more about how to do this in our blog: How to Love Your Enemy: 10 Bible Verses on Forgiveness
Blessing Prayer for Family: Father, you are the God from which every family on Heaven and earth is named (Ephesians 3:14-15). I thank you for the family I have, and I praise you because family was your idea! Thank you that you dreamed up mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and the whole family tree. Thank you for how you’ve blessed me through their love, grace, and I even thank you for how my family has challenged me. I ask that you would bless them this new year with safety, hope, purpose, clarity, and supernatural grace to receive your love and share that love with others. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Want to bless your family beyond a New Year’s prayer? Learn more in our blog: How to Create Generational Blessing
Blessing Prayer for Friends: Jesus, thank you for my friends. I thank you that you designed connection and fellowship. I praise you because godly friendships were your idea. As my friends start a new year, I bless them to grow in connection with God. I ask that you give them peace that surpasses all understanding and strength for each day (Philippians 4:7, Isaiah 41:10). Thank you for shielding my friends from anxiety, giving them hope for the future, and giving them God-sized dreams that will change the world for the better. Give them your yoke that is easy and keep their burdens light in this new year (Matthew 11:28-30). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Related post: How Jesus Gives Us Joy & Peace in Difficult Times
Blessing Prayer for Enemies: Jesus, I want to follow your example and bless my enemies this new year. I choose to forgive (insert name here) for how they’ve hurt me. I choose to follow your example, and I make the choice to forgive them because they don’t know what they’re doing (Luke 23:24). Thank you in advance for giving my enemies a sound mind that is free from chaos and confusion. I thank you as well for showing them your love that is for them (Mark 2:17). Just as you turned Saul to Paul, I ask that you would turn (insert name here)’s heart towards you(Acts 9:1-19). Thank you for giving them a heart that is responsive to your voice and respects your awesome name. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Learn more about why forgiveness is so powerful in our blog: How to Find Freedom Through Forgiveness
Conclusion
As you celebrate and step into the New Year, remember that every moment is an opportunity to draw closer to God’s heart and bless those around you. Through gratitude prayers, forgiveness prayers, renewal prayers, and blessing prayers for the New Year, you can change your life and the lives of those around you. When you make a habit out of praying blessings over the New Year, you’re partnering with God’s good plans for your life and the lives of others. He is the God of new beginnings, fresh mercy, and a hope that never runs out.
So, as you pray for a blessed new year and speak the Word of God over your next 365 days, ask the Lord to shape your desires, deepen your trust, and fill your year with His presence more than anything else. Remember: He is more important than the good things He offers us! May this New Year be marked by His peace, His joy, and His unstoppable love working in and through you.
Want to grow more in your faith this year? Follow the Everyday Faith podcast on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube! Check out one of our latest episodes with Jeff Zaugg on legacy, generational blessings, and how to dream with God for the future.
