“Do not neglect the more important things.” Matthew 23:23

As we bring 2015 to a close, I thought I’d share a prayer you can pray as you prepare your heart for 2016. Jesus reminds us in this simple sentence that there are unimportant things that can be shiny and take away our attention, and there are important things we must not neglect.

Next year? I want to skew more toward the weighty, important things of the kingdom. I want to be like my namesake, Mary, who chose to sit at the feet of Jesus when the hustle of life flurried around her. She chose the most important part, and that made all the difference.

So here’s a prayer you can pray if you’re longing to chase the important and flee from the distractions of our modern, busy life:

…

Jesus, there are many unimportant things that clog my mind and inform my actions. But I want to be like Mary who sat at Your feet, choosing the truly important One: You. And in that choosing, I trust that You will reveal to me throughout the day just what Your agenda is, who to pray for, who to offer encouragement, who to love.

Because the most important things in this life aren’t things: they are people.

Help me to bless my family today, no matter what that looks like. Do You want me to write a letter? Do You want me to make a phone call? Should I text someone? Should I buy a gift, or serve in a sacrificial way?

Help me to be mindful of my neighbors, whether they be living in my neighborhood, attend my church, or work alongside me. Lead me clearly toward good deeds that truly impact people for eternity.

And as I seek You for the people You want to bless through me, don’t let me forget You. I want to praise You in the midst of stress, fear, tasks, drudgery, and the mundane of life. I want to lift my eyes heavenward, reminding myself that You made the beautiful sky I see today. I want to sing songs to You through joy and sorrow and the typicality of today. Why? Because You are important to me, Jesus, and I love you dearly.

Amen.