I know its hard to believe, but 2022 is starting in just a few days. This is also about the time when we start thinking about trying to do things differently in the new year. Generally speaking, new year’s resolutions don’t work out all that well. At best, only about half of all resolutions make it to six months, and an even smaller number really stick.
But we still try, because a new year gives us a great time to start something new and different. The biggest obstacle, most of the time, is that we try to go big to fast. What seems to work better is starting small and giving yourself permission not to be great at it.
With that in mind, I want to encourage you to do something new this year. Below I have a number of resources. Some that I’ll make special mention of, and some that are a part of the resources we’ve been making available for a while. Take a look at that list and see what works for you. There’s a mix of online and print options.
With any of the print options, you can order it yourself, or I can put in one big order at a time. Let me know if you want me to order you a copy of something.
Bible Project App
Their videos are on youtube, and do the best job I’ve seen so far of explaining books of the Bible. They have a new app that comes out on Jan 1st that will help with reading the Bible. You can find info on the app, and links to both Apple and Android below.
Bible Project App | Apple | Android
The Divine Hours
If you need something to pray, and aren’t sure what, this is a good place to go. This is an updated version of an ancient practice of the church. The point of this practice isn’t to make sure you pray for all the things or all the people, but to just spend time in God’s presence, and to let that time settle and center you. It does this through a mix of the Psalms, other Scripture readings, ancient prayers, and other written prayers. The prayers are different at different times of the day.
The Psalms
Over the last year I’ve been discovering a love of the Psalms that I didn’t have before. There’s a few different resources that I can recommend for this. One is a book that has reflections on all 150 psalms (and is really good, I’m working my way through it right now), and the other is a website that has all of the Psalms and music to help you sing through them. That is a great practice and you should give it a try.
Book (multiple format options) | Website
Five Day Bible Reading
This is the plan that has been out for several years. It lets you read through the entire Bible in a year (with weekends off). I’ve got a link for the reading plan below and hard copies of the plan will be in the Sanctuary. When you click on the link, scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page for the download.
Bread for the Day
This is a printed book with daily devotionals and Bible readings. Its a great resource if you want to have something that you know you’ll always have on hand. As always, you can order it yourself, or I can order it for you.
Other Resources
Phone Apps
Daily Prayer: Android, iPhone
Echo Prayer App: Android, iPhone
YMI: Android, iPhone
Our Daily Bread: Android, iPhone
Bible (youversion): Android, iPhone
Books
Field Guide for Daily Prayer available at seedbed.com
The Divine Hours Pocket Edition by Phyllis Tickle
The CEB Lectio Divina Prayer Bible
Open Road by Sue Nilson Kibbey
Living Room Liturgy available at seedbed.com
A Bead and a Prayer by Kristen Vincent