End of Year Planning Strategy

End of Year Planning Strategy

by Autumn R. Finklea

The holiday season is upon us—a time filled with food, gifts, and moments with loved ones. It’s also the season when many of us begin the sacred process of self-reflection. We start compiling a laundry list of hopes for the New Year and declarations of what we’re ready to leave behind.

Sound familiar? That’s my rhythm too.

I Google. I fill shopping carts with pens, notebooks, exercise gear—tools I’m convinced will help me stick to my goals. I’ve even taken bold stances on leaving behind people, places, and things. But somewhere along the way, I realized something profound:

I was holding the pen, the planner, and the desires... and inviting God into the prayer after I’d already written the vision.

What I was missing?

Intimacy. Surrender.

The kind that dares to ask:

“God, help me want what You want for me in the coming year.”

Let’s be clear:

Yes—God cares about the desires of our hearts.

Yes—He answers prayers.

But He answers according to His will. That’s where alignment comes in.

There’s nothing wrong with having a plan.

But it’s powerful to ask God to help you create the plan.

For women especially:

We can grow discouraged when things don’t unfold the way—or when—we hoped they would. But here’s truth you can hold onto:

God promises not to withhold good things from us.

He sees you.

He has a plan for you.

You don’t have to lean on your own understanding.

Reflection Question:

What’s one thing on your heart that you’re hopeful for—right now and in 2026?

Will you be brave enough to lift it up to God and ask Him what He thinks?

Let’s Pray:

Father God, thank You that You know everything about us—because You created us. We are Yours.

Thank You for knowing the desires of our hearts.

We ask that You align our desires with Your will.

We lift this prayer and ask for clarity, patience, and open ears as we await Your response.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Power Verse

Proverbs 16:9 AMP

“A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.”