Good thoughts and intentions are only the seeds of revolution. There must be prayful, deliberate initiative to make the seed grow.

Jesus taught how resolutions can become revolutions. He taught that a lasting change starts on the inside and permeates to the outside of a person. Concerning the kingdom of heaven, He illustrated with the common usage of “leaven” or the yeast of His day. When a little yeast is added to a batch of dough, it soon changes the whole composition of the dough. So is the power of the kingdom of heaven in us.

In the gospel of Matthew we find Jesus’ revolutionary teaching on the power of the kingdom of God. (See Matthew 5 – 7.) Jesus taught that the way up is down, that the pure in heart will see God, that the meek (humble) will inherit the earth.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus also taught on the power of prayer. (Matthew 6:9-15) Through prayer and faith you cannot only see resolutions realized but experience a revolution in your life.

The Lord’s Prayer is not a prayer to be prayed by rote or ritual, but a prayer of repentance and relationship. When you pray through this outline of prayer in faith, get ready for your new year to be revolutionized.

First, pray “Our Father who are in heaven” (Matthew 6:9). Realize the creator desires a personal relationship with you as your Heavenly Father, a father of compassion who genuinely cares for your good. He has plans for you. (See Jeremiah 29:10-12.) Ask Him to reveal and redirect you into His plan.

Second, “hallowed by thy name”. Your life and your prayer life will be revolutionized and empowered when you enter into a deeper level of praising and worshipping God “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23).

Third, “thy kingdom come”. When you realize and confess that there is a power outside and beyond yourself that comes to rule within you you will see your resolutions revolutionized. (See Revelation 3:20, Romans 10:9-10.)

Fourth, “thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”. Many make resolutions and set goals without ever considering or consulting God’s will for their lives. Seek God’s will (James 4:13-17). Pray for it to be done on earth.

Fifth, “give us this day our daily bread”. Many seem overly concerned and preoccupied in reaching only their materialistic goals. Jesus taught us to pray and trust our heavenly father for those daily needs. Don’t worry. Lay up spiritual, enduring riches in heaven.

Sixth, “forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors”. You can have a life transforming revolution when you experience God’s forgiveness. Revolutions come through repentance and forgiveness. We need God’s forgiveness. “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Guilt and confusion result when we are out of harmony with God and others. But assures us that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9-10). Unforgiveness and resentment toward another will rob you of peace and power in your life. It will keep God from forgiving you (Matthew 6:14-15).

Seventh, “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil”. This New Year God can give you victory and deliverance over temptation, sinful, harmful habits and attitudes, and the schemes of the evil one. The Word of God assures us “submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

God desires to do more than help us with our New Year’s resolutions. He desires to totally revolutionize our lives from within. As God to help you revolutionize your prayer life and you will see not only your resolutions and goal accomplished but also a life transforming revolution.

May you have a Happy and Blessed New Year!