One Word for One Year: A Spiritual Practice

Do you have your One Word for One Year? This spiritual practice of selecting a single word on which to concentrate every day for an entire year helps us better know God, our Father. The practice can also help lead us closer to Jesus Christ.

Written by

Deborah Haddix

Published on

January 4, 2024
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New Year is one of my favorite times of the year. I’m pretty sure my fondness for it has to do with clean slates and fresh starts.

This season of ushering out the old year and ringing in the new serves to remind me that my God is the God of “beginnings.” And, seriously, who doesn’t like a good do-over?

A Practice for the New Year

Looking forward to new beginnings, I make it a practice to set aside some time during the latter weeks of December or early weeks of January each year. This time is used for engaging in spiritual work – reflecting, reassessing, and reorganizing – in preparation for the New Year.  

It’s also the time for some decision making. 

One Word for One Year

In recent years, one of my decisions for the New Year has been to choose One Word.

The practice of choosing One Word for One Year hit my radar several years ago. As so often is the case, it seemed to come at me from everywhere. It came from the radio, a friend at church, various blog posts, and more. All at once it seemed, people’s chosen word and their process in making the selection bombarded me.  

(In full disclosure, it did take me a couple of years to make the decision to give One Word a try. However, once I did, One Word has continued to be a choice each year.)

What is One Word for One Year?

One Word for One Year is the practice of selecting a single word on which to concentrate every day for an entire year.  The best word choices are those chosen for the purpose of better knowing God, our Father. They are also words that will help lead us closer to Jesus Christ.

Our One Word is a “personal” word God has for us, and it can be a catalyst for life-change.

Why?

Involvement in the discipline of One Word for One Year helps provide focus for daily living and spiritual growth.  Chosen by the prompting of the Holy Spirit, the word chosen to focus on can help speak to an area of spiritual growth or desired heart transformation.

Choose One Word for One Year for the purpose of better knowing God, our Father, and one that will help lead your closer to Jesus Christ. @HaddixDeborah Share on X

A One Word for One Year Resource

Whether you’ve already made the decision that 2024 is the year you are going to give One Word for One Year a try, are still mulling the idea over, or find it hitting your radar for the first time, I’d like to offer this FREE resource as a help.

One Word for One Year is a downloadable resource complete with the WHAT, WHY, and HOW of the discipline. It is also packed with a list of more than 200 words for inspiration and includes space for recording your words and making notes.

One Word for One Year

A booklet to help you choose your One Word that will help you come to better know God, your Father, and lead you closer to Jesus Christ, your Savior.

Click HERE to download.

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About the Author

Deborah Haddix

I am a child of God, wife, mom, grandma, daughter, sister, niece, and friend who loves nothing better than spending time with those I love.

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