An Old Prayer for Your New Year

Drive Research data suggests that 92% of adults will not follow through on their New Years’ resolutions (Drive Research, 2024). This data is basically confirmed with statistics from another research site that considers the data from the approach of those who succeed (InsideOut Mastery, 2024). Here it is reported that only 9% of people successfully keep their New Year’s resolutions (InsideOut Mastery, 2024). They report that while 48% of adults surveyed want to exercise more, overall 23% of adults who set New Years’ resolutions quit in the first week; then 64% by the end of the first month. How frustrating!

I would like to suggest to you that when it comes to the New Year, there is a great place for you to start--a place to reflect on where you are, where you have been and where you would like to be--and it doesn’t require a gym membership! I want to suggest to you that there is an old prayer that is just right for those with failed resolutions from the past; and it is the antidote to the poison of fears and trepidations about the future. This old prayer was written in a time of incredible stress; and the resulting peace that comes from praying this prayer has blessed millions of lives since it was originally prayed. This prayer is a very familiar one, and sometimes the most familiar prayers are the ones that are the least appreciated. This prayer is Psalm 23, found in your Bible, and perhaps one so familiar that you could even quote a few verses from memory.

Psalms of David

We know the Psalms of David as songs written by David the musician (1 Samuel 16:14-23). Many of the psalms were also penned by worship leaders in David’s kingdom, and often their introductions describe the musical instruments that accompany them (see Psalm 150). But the Psalms are also prayers, evoking God‘s name and His great attributes (Hicks, 2025). These are hymns of praise, classical Hebrew poetry that can be prayed silently or shouted out loud (see Psalms 98 and 100). The psalms as prayers model how to approach God in times of trial (See Psalms 3; 12; 22; 44; 80) or in times of thanksgiving (see Psalms 30; 34; 65; 116). The scriptures often tell us that it is important to read the Word of God out loud and to read it daily (1 Timothy 4:13; Revelation 1:3).

Psalm 23 is reported to have been written during a difficult time in David’s life (Paul, 2023). He was not dwelling in peace in his palace, having conquered all of the enemies around him. He was facing a Civil War, when his son Absalom had chosen to declare himself King and plot a coup against David (2 Samuel 15:1-12). Absalom began to demand allegiance from David’s current leadership. Many of David’s loyal servants were turning on him, and he fled from the palace in order to save his own life (2 Samuel 15:13-23). This is the setting for David writing what appears to be one of the most contented and peaceful psalm prayers in the Bible (Paul, 2023).

I would like to take each of the verses of the psalm and ask you to pray along with me as we reflect on what David wrote during this tumultuous time in his life. I believe this psalm prayer will be the perfect way to start your new year--whether or not you make it to the watch the ball drop!

As I quote from the Psalm, please pray along with me…

“The Lord is my shepherd…”

Most High God, Self-existent one, You are sovereign. You are the Leader--You are my Leader and Guide! I reflect back on my youth and remember how far you have brought me; and how near You still are to me. I remember how You have guided me with Your mighty hand; and I have sought to do the same for Your people (Psalm 78:72).

“I shall not want.”

You Lord have been faithful to me throughout my life. As with Moses You asked, “What is that you have in your hand” (Exodus 4:2); and with me against the Giant you provided a slingshot (1 Samuel 17:40); if I didn’t need it, You did not provide it. I now have everything I need--not because I am king, but because of the abundance of Your goodness and provision (Psalm 31:19). I find my satisfaction and fulfillment and completeness in You alone.

“He makes me lie down in green pastures…”

As my sheep needed to be well fed and protected so they would lie still and be unafraid, so You Lord have cared for me and protected me throughout my life. I am in awe of Your steadfast love (Psalm 31:21).

“He leads me beside still waters.”

While all around me is trouble and strife, my heart is at rest. Your strong arm and mighty hand shelter me. Under the shadow of your wings I am protected from those who seek to do me harm (Psalm 17:8).

“He restores my soul.”

You return me to a place of complete trust and dependence on You. You rescue my soul from deceit and trouble and self-reliance. My heart and my love are returned to You. I am totally devoted to You!

“He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.”

May Your glory shine through me as You my Shepherd lead me on the path of truth and integrity. May I embrace truth and live with inner order and complete trust in You, based on Your holy, sovereign, trustworthy Name. I can count on You!

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”

All around me are those who scheme against me to instill fear and to destroy what You have built through me (Psalm 31:13). What seems like a constricted place with terrors all around is the place where You will do Your greatest work!

“I will fear no evil, for you are with me…”

The lurking shadows cannot hide You--even if I dwell in the uttermost depths of the sea, You are still with me (Psalm 139:9). I call to You, and You hear and answer from Your holy hill (Psalm 3:4).

“Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

With Your rod You discipline me--and I repent of my wayward heart. With Your staff You guide me on the path of uprightness and blamelessness. I repent of wrong choices, and for not fully depending on Your provision. I am comforted to know You never slumber or sleep (Psalm 121:4).

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies…”

It is not just a bag lunch by which You sustain me; but in the midst of those who seek my harm You provide a grand feast with the choicest of delicacies. Those who seek Your face lack no good thing (Psalm 34:10). You are preparing a great victory for me!

“You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

As Aaron Your faithful priest was anointed (Psalm 133:2), I remember from where You took me. You anointed me and called me to this task, and I am fully dependent on You to complete this assignment. You have blessed Your servant and shown me great favor. I am overflowing with a continual outpouring of Your Presence!

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…”

As You sovereign Shepherd complete Your work through me, Your goodness and blessings will overflow from me and pour out into the lives of others. As I am blessed, I cannot contain it all! Your goodness and mercy will impact everyone with whom I come in contact, because these blessings have been poured out by You, Sovereign Lord!

“And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Regardless of how the present battle finishes, I long to abide in Your Presence forever. I know now that I can call upon You and be certain that I will be heard and that You will respond (Psalm 34:6). Although the answer may be delayed (see Daniel 10:12) I know that my times are in Your hands; and at some date You will rescue me from the hand of my persecutors (Psalm 31:15). I give all praise and worship and honor to You O Sovereign Lord because You alone are worthy (see Revelation 4:11)!

You could certainly afford to lose a few pounds--we all could. We could all learn to think more positively, and to quit bad habits that annoy our spouses and offend others. But you don’t need a New Year’s resolution to do that. You simply need to put your faith and trust in God, who loves you despite your overweight self and bad habits. It’s time for all of us to trust in God completely and find contentment in ‘what we have in our hand;’ or what He has provided for us. May this New Year bring you into an even closer intimate relationship with the God who loves you and who gave His life for you; that you may “dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Sources:

Christie, B. (2025, December 23). New Year Advertising: Resolutions for the Upcoming Year. Gourmet Ads.

Drive Research Team (2024, November 18). New Year’s Resolutions Statistics and Trends. Drive Research.

Hicks, M. (2025, January 24). How to Pray the Psalms. Lifeway Women.

InsideOut Mastery (2024). 19 Surprising New Year’s Resolution Statistics (2024 Updated). InsideOut Mastery.