A Fresh Start With God: A Family Devotional for the New Year
There’s something special about the beginning of a new year. It feels like opening a brand-new notebook: clean pages, no mistakes, fresh hope, and endless possibilities. As families, we often step into January with goals, plans, and expectations, but the greatest gift we can give one another is choosing to begin the year anchored in God.
The Bible reminds us that God specializes in new beginnings:
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22–23 ESV
No matter what last year looked like-joyful moments, hard seasons, or lessons learned-God’s mercy greets us fresh each day. We don’t carry yesterday’s failures into today. Instead, we walk forward knowing that God’s faithfulness never runs out.
Starting the Year Together as a Family
A new year is more than a calendar change; it’s an opportunity to grow closer as a family and deepen our relationship with God. While we can’t control everything that lies ahead, we can choose who we walk with through every season. When we invite God into our plans, conversations, and routines, we create space for Him to shape our hearts and guide our steps.
This is a beautiful time to talk as a family about gratitude for the past year and hope for the one ahead. Sharing these moments (around the breakfast table, during family prayer time, or before bed) helps children learn that faith isn’t just something we practice on Sundays. It’s how we live, together, every day.
Questions to Reflect On as a Family
Take a few moments to talk through these questions:
What is something you’re thankful for from last year?
Is there something you’re hoping God helps you with this year?
What do you think it means that God’s mercy is “new every morning”?
How can our family show God’s love to others in the year ahead?
These conversations don’t have to be long or complicated. Sometimes the simplest discussions make the biggest impact.
A Simple Family Activity: Word for the Year
Invite each family member to choose one word they want to focus on this year. Words like faith, kindness, patience, gratitude, or courage can help set an intention for growth. Write them down and place them somewhere visible: on the refrigerator, a prayer board, or inside your family Bible. Let these words serve as gentle reminders throughout the year of what God is growing in each of you.
A Prayer for the New Year
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of a brand-new year and the blessing of new beginnings. Thank You for Your mercy that meets us every morning. Help our family walk closely with You this year. Guide our decisions, strengthen our faith, and teach us to love one another the way You love us. We place this year in Your hands and trust You with every step. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Walking Forward in Faith
No matter what this year holds, we can rest in the promise that God goes before us, walks beside us, and holds our families securely in His care. Each new day is a chance to trust Him more, love more deeply, and grow stronger together.
As you step into the new year, may your home be filled with faith, peace, and the comforting assurance that God is already at work.
