End the Year Well (1)

I am going to let you in on a secret: The last week of the year can be the most important week of the year. I have found that how I spend those days can significantly impact the direction and outcome of the year ahead. While others wait for the New Year to begin a new set of resolutions or to start working towards their fitness, finance, faith, or other goals, I have found a way to hit the ground running. And not running aimlessly, but running in line with God's will.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

There are seven days between Christmas and New Year. For many of us, these days go past in a post-festivities haze. It can also be a time to catch up with family or friends, especially if you have travelled to be close to them around Christmas. Some people use it as a week off from normal life or an opportunity to take a break from working towards the goals they have chased for the other 51-ish weeks of the year. It has also become an opportunity to hit the shops online or in person and snag a bargain during the sales. For many, it's business as usual once Christmas Day and perhaps Boxing Day have come and gone.

In this post, you will find lots of ways to end the year well so you can live your blessed life in the year ahead. You don't have to do all of them, and reading this could inspire you to end the year well in a different way that will significantly impact the year ahead. I pray that God uses this post to free you from the belief that the last week of the year is inconsequential. This is not about being uber productive — in fact, rest is one of God's keys to success — it's about ending the year with God at the centre. This can set you up to flow into the New Year right where God wants you, regardless of what has happened during the rest of the year.

It's Not Too Late to End the Year Well

It is not too late to give this year to God. It is not too late to draw near to Him. It is not too late to trust God instead of yourself. It is not too late to respond positively to what God has been calling you to all year. While there is breath in your lungs and days in December, you can still end this year well!

End the Year Well with the Word of God

Time in God's Word is time well spent. Whether or not you have extra time between Christmas and New Year, you can complete a week-long Bible Reading plan on the Bible App or get a head start with a longer Through the Bible Plan that you will continue to completion in the New Year. If it is a good idea on January 1st, it is a good idea on December 26th.

It does not take as long to read the Bible as you might think. Read: How long does it take to read through the Bible?

If you do have extra time in the last week of the year, avoid filling it with things that will not edify your spirit, like binge-watching TV shows or sleeping your days away. Instead, dedicate a longer portion of each day to reading and studying Scripture. You could memorise Scripture, use Bible writing to meditate on Scripture, or use these Bible Study printable resources to delve into the Word:

• SOAP Bible Study Method template and guide

• Verse Mapping template and guide

I recommend browsing through devotionals or sermon notes from the last year, because God's Word is not perishable like natural food. When you review past words of edification, you can find fresh nourishment each time. There may be something you missed or forgot, or something that has a new meaning with hindsight or time to pause a little longer. Read past Boma Means Blessed email devotionals here.

End the Year with Prayer

I no longer make New Year's Resolutions. I prefer to pray over and plan the year ahead with the Lord. It is not exactly the same as the way I spend time with God on my birthday, but there are similarities. There are many ways to pray and types of prayer. Prayers of surrender, thanksgiving, and repentance are a great place to end the year.

Get 15 inspirational prayer prompts.

End the Year with Thanksgiving

The 26^th to 31^st of December is a great time for reflection. As we review the past year, we can look out for things to be grateful for and then offer a sacrifice of praise to God for all the things He has done. Don't let your gratitude remain a thought or feeling; express it verbally with thanksgiving and praise.

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2)

If you record your prayers, review them and look for how God has answered you or sustained you through different seasons. Give Him thanks. If there is anything you are still waiting for, give God thanks as you trust Him to come through.

End the Year with Repentance

None of us does everything right or follows God perfectly every day. Repentance is not supposed to be an annual affair. Rather, it should be part of our devotion to a Holy God.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

We do not need to live constantly aware of our sin. We do better to focus on our righteousness in Christ. But we must allow the Holy Spirit to examine us and bring correction where necessary. God is not angry or vengeful with us. When we repent, we are asking for help with sin that God knows about and loves us enough to lead us away from.

End the Year with Surrender

Surrendering our lives and days to God shows that we trust Him. If you have lived any of this year relying on your own strength, following your own way, or acting in response to pressures from others, it's not too late to surrender to the Lord.

Reflect and record your decisions this year. Which were Holy Spirit-led, and which were made without consulting God or following his direction? Consider whether there are areas on your life you find easier to surrender than others. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight into why you resist surrender in some areas.

Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. (Psalms 86:11)

Surrender does not come naturally. We need God's help to give up our ideas, preferences, and desires, trusting that His are far better. Even if you don't feel like surrendering, bring that to God. Ask God for His direction today. Surrender to His Lordship, and take steps towards obedience and reliance on God.

Pray for a surrendered heart as you move into 2026. You will be postured for success.

End the Year by Preparing to Fast

Many churches, ministries, and Christian leaders encourage some kind of fast in January. These may or may not start on the first of the month, and the type and length of fast can vary, but at its core, the purpose of fasting in January is usually to start the year well. Fasting at the start of a year is a good way to start the year centred on God.

Find out more about the types of fasts Christians can undertake and why Christians fast.

Indulging in festive delights at Christmas can make fasting in the New Year more daunting and more challenging. The body can find it much harder to adjust to not eating if we have been overeating or eating and drinking lots of things with addictive properties, like sugar and caffeine. Spending a few days at the end of December intentionally eating healthily can increase the likelihood of starting and finishing a New Year's fast. It can make the fast more manageable if we can reduce the strength of withdrawal symptoms from sugary or caffeinated food and drink. We can gradually cut back on these while increasing our water intake and eating more fruits and vegetables. Be careful about replacing caffeine with fruit smoothies, as they can be high in natural sugars.

Fasting is a spiritual exercise that involves our mind, body, and soul. Preparation is not essential, but it can be beneficial. You may even decide to fast a meal or two, or whole days during the last week of the year as you seek to spend time with God. A Daniel Fast can be a simple way for many to say yes to God, deny the flesh, and get ready for fasting in January.

End the Year with Silence and Solitude

For many, the Christmas season is busy, noisy, and bright. It can be immensely beneficial to pause to come before the Lord in silence. If you can, schedule 2 or 3 periods of extended silence and solitude where you can just be with the Lord, listening for His voice but ultimately inviting and resting in His presence.

Approaching the end of a year can cause us to reflect on our achievements and assess our productivity. Honour the One who loves you before you do anything for Him by practising loving Him in silence, without asking anything of Him. Worship does not always need words.

In silence and solitude, our true value to God can begin to unfold before us. Sitting in God's presence, separated from our accomplishments, we may recognise the worthlessness of our human efforts or our propensity towards self-righteousness. As we sit in the presence of our good God, our trust may be restored, the bruises of the year anointed with oil, and our hearts lovingly led to repentance (see Romans 2:4).

Read more about The Practice and Purpose of Silence and Solitude.

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End the Year Writing

For me, ending the year well must involve writing. I love to use the increased time to write for longer and more often and to pray about my writing. I also seek the Lord about what He wants me to write about in the year ahead, and make notes and plans that will guide me throughout the coming year.

I am more likely to achieve my writing goals when I go beyond being prepared to write when opportunity arises to scheduling regular time to write. That's why I want to invite Christians who feel called by God to write (anything) to join me in a two-hour writing session.

Find out more on the Gather, Write, Pray page or go straight to Eventbrite to book. End the year writing.

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End the Year with Faith

When we end a year by centring our preparation for the next one on the Lord, we are acting in faith and demonstrating that we value the gift of another year. God-centred preparation shows we are approaching the New Year with the expectation of entering something new.

In Luke 12:35-40, Mark 13:34-37, and Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus uses parables to teach about the importance of being spiritually prepared for His return. Through the parables of the watchful servants and of the 10 virgins, we learn the importance of being awake, alert, and equipped with oil at all times. Winding down at the end of the year should not mean letting our spiritual life wane. It is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the past, seek God for the future, and look forward with faith.

Have you heard the saying, 'How you do anything is how you do everything'? If we cannot prepare spiritually for the predictable turning of the year, can we expect to live ready for the sudden return of Jesus?

Read How to take action when you don't feel ready.

If we value the gift of another year, we won't wait until we get there to prepare; we will prepare in advance so we enter ready.

Blessing in Action: End the Year Well

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)

Spend some time thinking about how you can end this year well. If applicable, repent for wasting the gift of time or considering any day less valuable or full of potential than another.

Ask God to help you redeem the time before deciding on and scheduling ways to end this year well.