Each year I pray and ask the Lord what word does He have for me in the coming year. Past years have been about abundance, revive, and abide to name a few. The words tend to come in October, and as I wait on the new year, there’s usually confirmation from what I read, see, or hear.
This year is different. I’ve enjoyed reading other words for 2021. So far I’ve hard of resilience and cultivate. Me? Nothing.
At least not like before. Then again, praying in 2020 was not usual.
These are words I’ve prayed as I’ve felt prompted to: Justice. Believe. Rise up.
Perhaps they are themes to focus on as 2021 unfolds.
Maybe they are directives.
It’s been over a year that I’ve felt urged to pray for justice. Thankfully it’s not personal, but something I feel is on the behalf of those who have been betrayed. I think it’s a wide scope. Marriages. Children. Business dealings. Government activities. As 2020 came to a close, my sense is that major darkness will be exposed. Backroom meetings no one was supposed to know about. A network of people with greed and lust at their core tied to the exploitation of children. As I continue to press in, I think the time is near.
As the Lord hands out justice both for the once secret evil doings and the long-suffering righteous who have withstood years of being ignored, cheated, and jeered, it’s going to be time for believers to rise up. If what I think is coming happens, there will be devastation. Familiar names will be connected to evil schemes. Names of people we respect and admire. Those with impressive titles and jobs from across the board. Some hold such importance in the world’s eyes that they were worshiped. And for their imminent fall, many will need healing because their devastation will be so raw.
We will need to rise up because we don’t follow a cause or a people but Christ. We can’t be proud and wag a knowing finger to those who will be hurting. This is the time when we forgive, love, and point the way for them. Not to a rally, not to a building, but to The Cross.
To see these themes, we have to believe. I’ve shared key elements of what I think will take place in the coming days and I have been met with skepticism and outright laughter. I’ve been told to “give it up.” Trust me, that would be easier than believing in what I can’t see. But isn’t that what faith is?
Justice, Believe. Rise Up. Words. Themes. Directives. However I’m meant to define it, this is my focus for 2021.
How about you?
Christians Read 
I stand beside you in prayer, as the world could surely use justice, belief, and those who will rise up. (By the way, my word for 2021 is cultivate.)
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I, too, stand beside you in prayer, Julie. Thank you for your courage.
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Praying with you. I’ve been the victim of injustice for years and to watch it on a global level is just too much. I’m done. Jesus come and bring your balanced weights of justice.
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Like you, I usually get a “word” in the Fall – this year, God gave me the word KNOW the first weekend of 2021 – then He confirmed and affirmed it several times over through messages, a TOBYMAC Post It (who’d a thought) and Scripture… It pops up at the ‘strangest’ times, but God never lets me forget the specific “word” throughout the year. I’ve had peace, wait, perseverance, to name some, but this one is different somehow. The first verse of Scripture He gave me was “For we KNOW that all things work together for good to those who love God to those who are called according to His purpose.” He even used a Christmas card that had gotten delayed in the Postal Service with my life verse on it… “Be still and KNOW I am God.” it’s been amazing how He does this.
Juliie, I am praying with you!
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Joy, we too have received confirmation with delayed mail. I love the word you have. He is our rock, our anchor, our all. This I KNOW.
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