That I Will Do
Ruth Ann Stites, Staff Writer
As we enter 2026, as usual, we try to set goals for the year ahead. Let me offer a quote from noted nineteenth century evangelist D. L. Moody as the basis of a meaningful, spiritually powerful New Years resolution.[1]
I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And that which I can do, by the grace of God, I will do.
At Ventures, the resolution we craft goes something like this: I can’t do everything, but one thing I can do this year is pray. By the grace of God, I will do that one thing. I will be a person devoted to prayer in 2026.
I took a minute to look up what devoted means. First, it means “very loving or loyal” then “given over to the display, study, or discussion of,” and finally, used as a verb, “give all or a large part of one’s time or resources to (a person, activity, or cause).”[2] Using this definition, we can develop a strategy for becoming a person of prayer.
First, we begin by increasing our love for prayer. We can find more and more pleasure in prayer as we pray. The very act of prayer deepens our love for it since love is so often expressed in action. We become attached to it that a day isn’t complete without being in His [1] presence thru prayer. As we choose to pray, especially with an attitude of delight that we can come to the very throne of grace, our love will grow deeper and fuller through repeated experience.
Second, as we devote ourselves to prayer we can study it, discuss it with others seeking to pray, and display its power to people as we experience more of the benefits of deepening prayer. Our prayer lives become a showcase for the effectiveness of and benefits from learning to pray. As Paul put it, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7). What better showcase could we provide for prayer than to follow the Great Apostle’s instruction?
And, finally, as we commit time, focus, and resources to prayer we will find it becomes a vital part of our lives. We prioritize prayer just as we do our families whom we love. My family makes a habit of having lunch on Sunday following church service. It is a ritual, yes, but one that knits us together. When, for whatever reason we fail to gather, its absence makes its presence in our lives more real and important. So it should be with prayer, not praying should remind us how vital prayer is and how much we need it.
This year of reflections will focus on the topic of prayer. May you find it a topic as rewarding as we at Ventures do as we seek to become more devoted men and women of prayer in 2026.
Reflection Questions:
- What are your goals (resolutions) for this new year? If you have yet to make any, take a moment to think about what you would like to have accomplished by the end of this year. Will being more devoted to prayer be one of them?
- What is the biggest obstacle or concern you face in making prayer a goal for 2026 that you feel you must overcome to pray more?
- In developing a prayer strategy, which of these—loving to pray, learning more about prayer, or changing your mindset about what you pray for— is the most difficult area for you? Why?
- Think about your priorities. Where does prayer fall on that list? Do [2] you need to change its place on your priority list?
(Photo description and credit: Wandering the country roads of Northwest Arkansas provides many opportunities for interesting pictures. This view suggests the promise of water, needful for life and soothing to the spirit. So is prayer. R. A. Stites, view from the James Fuller Bridge at Minch Springs, Benton County, AR, 2024.)
[1] For more about Dwight L. Moody – Wikipedia.
[2] Definition For Devoted – Google Search.
[1]His presence. We don’t want to leave the impression that the words alone are sufficient. We aren’t in the presence of prayer – prayer brings us into the presence of God.
[2]make this active and personal not passive
