Christmas is next week. Most of us are preparing homes and food and presents while also preparing our hearts throughout our Advent journey. But I’d love to direct your attention toward the new year—just for a moment—to invite you to join us for the 2019 Prayer Pledge.
The Blessed is She Prayer Pledge
Every January, our Blessed is She community comes together, across the world, to dedicate the first month of the new year to prayer. As many of us formulate goals and articulate dreams for the new year, we link virtual arms and encourage one another to put our relationship with the Lord at the very top of our list.
So for the first 31 days of the new year, we pledge to pray together. We set ourselves on the path of this good practice with the hopes that our daily time spent with Christ this first month of the year will carry over to a daily prayer habit for the rest of the year…and for our entire lives.
In His Heart
This year’s Prayer Pledge theme is In His heart. We'll spend time reclining near the Sacred Heart of Jesus, just like the Apostle John did at the Last Supper. We'll spend the first month of the year steeped in the love of the heart of Jesus..
Each week of January, one Regular Blog Contributor will walk us through the rich meditations on the Sacred Heart that Holy Mother Church offers us. Together, we'll pray with Scripture, images, written prayers, music, Church documents, reflections from the Saints, and devotional practices all centered on God's heart.
This January, and for all of 2020, we will pray and learn together, entrusting ourselves and our lives more fully to the Lord who loves us so deeply. May our hearts belong more to His heart!
What to Expect Each Day
Every day of the Prayer Pledge, there will be a new post on the blog. The daily posts will include a short reflection and a prayer that we will all pray together.
Our daily posts will close with questions to discuss with your prayer partner (more on that below).
If you’re like me and could use a daily reminder about the Prayer Pledge, sign up to receive the Prayer Pledge posts straight to your inbox. If you subscribe to our devotions, then you’re familiar with the setup and how much easier this makes it to remain faithful to our pledge!
Prayer Partners
Another great way to enter into the new year with a renewed pledge to deepen your relationship with God is by buddying up. We really encourage each of us to choose a prayer partner for the Prayer Pledge. If you already have a thriving Bible study or prayer group, perhaps you can team up and bring the Prayer Pledge content to your next meeting or text thread!
As prayer partners, you’ll hold one another accountable to read the daily posts. But not in a annoying way, you know, just a regular-person-trying-to-help-you-do-what-you-really-want-to-do way.
Like we mentioned above, each day’s post will contain a question for you to discuss with your prayer partner. You can do this in whatever way you so choose (email, text, phone, Voxer, over coffee, etc.). But these questions go a little deeper than the typical, “What struck you about this reflection?” We’re really striving to be vulnerable here and form a bond with our prayer partners while strengthen our bond with Christ.
Most importantly, as prayers partners, you’ll be dedicated to praying for one another through the month and beyond.
We encourage you to reach out and select your prayer partner before the Prayer Pledge begins if possible! Text them the link to this blog post so they can sign up, share it on social, or email it to a friend.
What to Do Now to Get Ready for the Prayer Pledge
Ready to get ready for the new year? Ready to grow closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus? We are, too, sister.
Here are our next steps:
- Sign up to receive the Prayer Pledge to your inbox in the colorful box above.
- Ask the Lord if He has someone in mind to be your prayer partner. Then reach out to them!
- Share about the Prayer Pledge by word of mouth and on social media. Use the hashtag #prayerpledge!
- Keep walking through Advent and preparing your hearts for Christmas. We’ll catch you in the new year.
Will you be joining us for this year’s Prayer Pledge? Let us know who your prayer partner is in the comments!