I admitted on Day 1 that I do not have a plan for this prayer series. My intent is to simply pray about it and trust that God will answer. He gave me today’s word not while deep in sacred prayer…but while I was, um, brushing my teeth. The simple, mundane moments of life become supernatural when we decide to listen for God’s voice at all times.

So today’s word: Anticipate. “to expect or look ahead to something with pleasure; to look forward to something”

Anticipate. Expect. Look ahead. Look forward to.

Most people do not anticipate the month of January. The days are cold, dark, short. The fun activities of Christmas are over. The renewal of spring is still far away. I think January just has a bad reputation.

January has become one of my favorite seasons of the year. Even through the merriment of December, I anticipate my upcoming season of prayer and fasting. Yes, even the fasting part. The anticipation invites me to welcome this otherwise dreary month.

My faith has been fueled by seeing God respond to my prayers. My expectations grow each year as I trust He will be faithful and act on my behalf. Every single year, He has done something big in my life, and I anticipate He will again this year.

A few personal highlights: (but nowhere near a comprehensive list!)

2009 – God gave me direction for my family’s future: my calling to homeschool.

2010 – God gave me wisdom for healing – Through part of my fast, He revealed foods that were triggering some major health problems.

2011 – God’s response to my prayers came later in the year – That fall, both my husband and I went through a season of significant spiritual renewal.

2012 – God gave me a call to lead in my local homeschool community.

2013, 2014, 2015 – Wisdom. Direction. Calling. Provision. Vision. Healing. Restoration. It is always something big.

I anticipate 2016 to be the same. My expectations are high. I have a list of personal needs I am talking with God about every day. But there are a few areas where I really expect God to do something big.

Every January, I am reminded of the time Jesus asked the blind man sitting by the road, “What do you want Me to do for you?” (Luke 18:41a, NASB)

I think He is asking you the same question:

What do you want Me to do for you?

What is that one area of your life that can only be rescued by Jesus Himself? That area that is dead, dark, despairing. Perhaps it is a relationship. Financial woes. Physical sickness. Emotional sickness. Uncertainty of the future.

There are some areas of life that resolutions and goal-setting just can’t fix. But Jesus can.

Don’t be afraid to ask. And don’t be afraid to be specific. God knows everything about your life, but He wants to hear you ask specifically. He wants you to trust Him. He wants you to watch for Him to work on your behalf.

“In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; in the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.”

Psalm 5:3

Morning is the beginning of the day. January is the beginning of the year. There is just something special about the beginning. There is power in giving God the first.

At the beginning of this year, you can voice your prayer, knowing He hears you. At the beginning of this year, you can eagerly watch, knowing He will act.

Don’t be afraid to ask for something big.

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think…to Him be the glory.”

Ephesians 3:20-21a (NASB)

So let’s go for it. Let’s ask, think, imagine, dream. And let’s make it big.

God can still do more. Far more abundantly beyond.

Today’s Challenge:

Write down your top three requests.

What do you want Jesus to do for you?

Not for your spouse, your children, your neighbors, or anyone else. Yes, please pray for them too. But right now, dream big for what you want God to do in your life during these 21 days.

Think of 3 specific areas of your life you anticipate God working in this year. Write them down. Then spend a few minutes talking to Jesus about them.