My 2022 #OneWord and Thoughts on Last Year’s Word

If you are new to the #OneWord concept, I urge you to check out their website, HERE. Choosing #OneWord can help you focus on a goal, a new mindset, or just help you make better choices. For a lot of people, choosing #OneWord helps them focus on a broader mindset rather than the goals they need to reach. For me, my #OneWord helps narrow down what I want to be my focus for the coming year.

I haven’t always chosen a word to guide my year. Sometimes the word has been obvious and in other years nothing stood out to me, so I didn’t force it. You can check out my previous #OneWord choices from 2015, 2016, and 2018, HERE.

Even though I never wrote about my #OneWord last year, I did choose one. My #OneWord last year was JOY. I found that the word kept crossing my path and after a difficult year in 2020, I wanted something positive to focus on in 2021. I wanted to Choose Joy and that is exactly what I did. Did I get grumpy and frustrated? Of course, I did. But, when I noticed my attitude needed an adjustment or my complaining needed an abrupt halt, I reminded myself to Choose Joy and it truly helped change my focus.

I used my letter board to remind me every day of my #OneWord.

At Christmastime, I have lots of opportunities to be reminded to Choose Joy. I’ve always loved the word, Joy, and am drawn to buying items that have the word “joy” in them.

Even though some of these things aren’t out year-round, I smile each year when I take them out of the decorations tub.

In a difficult year, it wasn’t always easy to Choose Joy, but I truly believe having that #OneWord as my focus helped change my attitude and my demeanor when it would have been easier to be grumpy or join the downward spiral of despairing thoughts. The neat thing is that it’s almost like my 2022 word was meant to follow my 2021 word.

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.

Phillippians 1:4 NIV

My #OneWord for 2022

This year my #OneWord came to me so easily and once I chose it, it kept popping up in my mind frequently. My #OneWord for 2022 is PRAY. I have been feeling more and more led to prayer. Having a quiet conversation with my Lord every day, sometimes multiple times a day is something I am feeling strongly about. In 2020 and 2021, I have found myself in prayer more than ever and it has brought a lot of calm to my days. When I feel my anxiety rising, I stop, take some slow, deep breaths, and pray. Within minutes, I can feel my heart rate slowing and my mind clearing. Around November, I began thinking about my #OneWord and every time I tried to come up with a different word, the word, PRAY would find its way into the front of my mind.

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:6 NIV

I have a number of people in my life that I’m praying for due to health concerns or personal struggles. I have my own personal requests that I am talking to God daily. Plus, I am in prayer daily for the state of our country. I wanted to make prayer my focus for this year and to make myself more accountable and also keep a journal about my prayer requests and answers to those prayers.

“Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.” 

Max Lucado

Inside our home, I have this sign where I can write down those I’m praying for. I walk by this sign multiple times a day and each time, I choose a name and say a quick prayer for them. Right now there are three names on this sign. When the prayers have been answered, I remove the name. At times, this board has overflowed with names, and other times, like now, there are just a few.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Ephesians 6:18 NIV

I’ve also purchased this Prayer Journal from The Daily Grace. There are daily prompts for prayer and space to write my own requests. I’m not sure I’ll be able to write in it daily, but when I feel the need to write or if I need inspiration, the journal will be available to me. The other items in the photo include Hymns Study Guide from The Daily Grace. I love learning the history of hymns and why they were written. I think my favorite Hymn story is “It is Well”. My dear friend gifted me Doe A Deer.

I am looking forward to the effect my #OneWord will have on my heart and mind. I’ll also be looking for those signs in my daily life reminding me to PRAY. The verses I will be focusing on for this year are from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Be joyful always; pray continually,

give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

If you have chosen a #OneWord, I would love to hear what word you have chosen. Feel free to share it below.

Also, to see more frequent updates on my #OneWord, be sure to follow me on Instagram where I post frequently about my life, my reading, and my faith.

“True prayer is a way of life, not just for use in cases of emergency.

Make it a habit, and when the need arises you will be in practice.”

Billy Graham

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