Every new year provides us an opportunity to reflect on our lives and intentionally choose ways to grow and improve. New Year’s resolutions help us set meaningful goals that encourage positive change, greater self-discipline, and becoming the best version of ourselves. Beyond the typical goals, New Year’s allows us, as Christians, to renew our commitment to grow in holiness and trust in God’s grace. Rather than relying only on willpower, we offer our goals to God through prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to help us become more loving, disciplined, and faithful in our daily lives.
We often hear the same popular New Year’s goals—exercise more, eat healthier, lose weight—but what if we also made room for spiritual resolutions? Exercise the soul by praying the Rosary, nourish your spirit by attending daily Mass more often, and “lose weight” by going to Confession and letting go of the burden of sin. Here are a few more ideas to get you started:
Make a Spiritual Book Part of Your Daily Reading
Adding a spiritual read helps deepen your faith by offering wisdom, guidance, and encouragement to keep your heart focused on God throughout the day. There’s so many amazing books out there which can help deepen our faith. A few of my personal favorites are:
Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
Confessions by St. Augustine
Story of a Soul: The autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux
Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith by Bishop Robert Barron
33 Days to Morning Glory by Michael E. Gaitley
Need inspiration?
Lacking motivation this new year? Need help knowing where to focus your energy? Say a prayer and let the Word of the Year generator create an inspirational word for you to meditate on throughout the year.
Embrace Fasting
Hear me out, fasting is not just for Lent. Fasting is a powerful spiritual practice which helps each of us grow closer to God by learning self-control and detachment from worldly comforts. By denying ourselves, we create more space for prayer, humility, and reliance on God, which fosters growth in holiness. When utilized throughout the liturgical year, this secret weapon will quickly level up your prayer life. This is not just limited to your own personal intentions. Fasting is also a powerful form of intercessory prayer – uniting personal sacrifice with petitions for the needs of others. By fasting, we join our prayers (and our intentions for the needs of others) more closely to Christ’s sacrifice, asking God to pour out grace, healing, and mercy on those we lift up in prayer. Even denying ourselves once a month is not lost on God. Bonus: it’s a great way to strengthen one’s resolve for growing in virtue!
Find a Saint Friend!
The Church Triumphant – those in Heaven – are powerful intercessors for us to the throne of Jesus. It is truly a wasted opportunity to not make as many Saint friends as possible. Sometimes these Saints stalk you (i.e. St. Therese of Lisiuex) and sometimes we beg these friends for their intercession because they once were where we are now. While you could flip through a Saint book, in the year of 2026, the internet can be a helpful place! I found a Saint’s Name generator. Say a quick prayer and click the button. A random saint will be chosen for you. Trust that the Holy Spirit is in control and knows who you need. In year’s past, I have gotten the most random people, but as the months go on, I realize why the Holy Spirit put them in my path. Pray for your new saint friend’s intercession every day!
Be Still
“Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10.
What more could we possibly do beyond simply being with the Lord? Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament provides time for personal reflection and encounter with God. In a world filled with lists, schedules, and outcomes, the only purpose of Adoration is to simply be present with the Lord. Bring your burdens and hand them over to Him. Even a few minutes spent with the true Presence fills the soul with peace.
Add a weekly stop at the Adoration Chapel to take your spiritual life to the next level!