Last year I spent some time praying and pondering what should be the Spiritual Goals that each of us should set each year. These are goals to help us grow to know God and be more like him. You can read that here. There is one goal that I would add to that list or maybe to another list – Learn to Rest. I am going to share more about that later. Here are my spiritual goals for 2020.

I shared my spiritual goals for 2019 here. I wanted to share these with you to give you an example of goals and encourage you as you consider your spiritual goals for 2020.

As I share my goals for 2020, I am going to first reflect on who I did with my goal in 2019 and then share the goal for 2020.

More Time in the Word

I was able to spend some time digging deep into God’s Word. Some of the in-depth studies that I did were 2 Thessalonians, Philippians, Jonah, Psalms, and Ephesians. Those are small books except for Psalms. I did spend a few months in Jonah and am planning to take my notes and write a Bible study that I can share with you.

In 2020 I want to spend more time in the Word. I am reading through the Bible following Grant Horner Bible Reading Plan. That is a bit of a challenge but I am looking forward to that. I want to also spend time studying some books in-depth. First, I am going to finish Ephesians and I am not sure what else I will do. I just purchased these notes for Ezra.

I had the goal of memorizing verses on prayer which I did not do but I memorized the book of Jonah. I would love to memorize another book this year. The Bible Memory App has been a great help. If you have not discovered that App, I highly recommend it for help in memorizing verses.

I want to continue to meditate on God’s Word. This is the quieting of our hearts and what puts our minds in the place where God wants them. This is a discipline. I want to grow in this area.

• Read through the Bible
• In-depth book studies
• Memorize a book
• Meditate on God’s Word

More Time in Prayer

In 2019 I did spend some time working on re-doing my prayer journal. It is still a work in progress. I shared a bit of my journal here.  I read a few books about prayer that were on my shelves.

In 2020 I want to continue growing in this area. I want to find more ways to incorporate prayer into my day.

This can be a hard goal to measure but it is an area that I want to continue to grow in.

Increase in Giving

There were a few opportunities to give last year. It was a blessing to me. I am working to increase giving my time to people.

In 2020 that is just an area where I can continue to look for ways that I can give. Maybe be the one to pay for coffee. I want a heart that is holding my things lightly and is ready to share with those in need. I want a giving heart.

“And he answered them, ‘Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.'” Luke 3:11 (ESV)

Increase in Service

There are so many ways that we can be serving the Lord. It could be in our local church, in para-church organizations, and in our community. Our service should be proclaiming and pointing to God. In 2019 I offered in to help someone as she needed help in her ministry. I had the time and there was a need. I did not realize how much I would be blessed in that service. It really is a highlight of my week. It does require that I manage my time wisely so that I can have the time to serve.

I am not sure how God will lead me to serve this year. I do know that I want to continue to be willing and to serve the Lord with gladness. As the year begins,  I am aware that I need to be serving the Lord in my home and that continues to be a priority.

Delight in Worship

I love Sundays. I love gathering together as God’s people singing praises, giving, reciting our beliefs, praying, and listening to God’s Word preached. Do you love Sundays? Being able to worship freely is a blessing.

I love the rest of the week and the times of worship that I have personally. My worship time might be sitting on the sofa with my Bible and journal or a walk in the hills or it might even be over a cup of coffee with a friend.

So in 2020, I want to continue to know God so I can delight in him. Reading the Bible is a way to know God as well as reading good books that teach us about God. I am going to read 2 books on this topic. Do you have a book to recommend?

Practice Fasting

Why is fasting so hard? I did not have as many fast days as I thought. It is hard. Fasting is about denying self and looking to God. I need this more and more in my life. This is an area to continue to work on this disciple in 2020. I have recently purchased a book about fasting.

Learning to Rest

As I begin 2020, I want to learn to rest. It almost sounds funny to say, that I need to learn to rest but that is what I need to do. I think some of this is the discipline. I want to work hard through the week will the plan, what needs to be done now so I can rest on Sunday. Plan my week so I can rest.

I am looking forward to growing in knowing God in 2020.

Have you set spiritual goals for 2020? Tell me about them in the comments. Do you have a good book to recommend that would help to grow spiritually? I love book recommendation, let me a recommendation.