You want to grow closer to God this year. You really do. But if you're honest, last January you made similar promises to yourself—read the Bible more, pray consistently, maybe finally memorize that verse you've been meaning to learn. And somehow, by February, those good intentions had faded into the background noise of daily life.
The problem isn't your desire for spiritual growth. The problem is that most Christian resolutions operate on the same principle as secular goals—willpower and determination. We tell ourselves we'll try harder, be more disciplined, stay more consistent. But we're using the same approach that fails with diet and exercise goals, and then wondering why our spiritual resolutions don't stick either.
Jesus said something crucial about this in John 15:5: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." Nothing. That includes keeping your well-intentioned New Year's resolutions.
This article offers 20 specific, Scripture-based resolutions for 2026. But these aren't just another list of things to try harder at. Each one is rooted in God's Word and designed to help you depend on His strength, not your own. These resolutions aren't about becoming perfect—they're about purposeful growth in the areas where God is already working in your life.
Why Christian Resolutions Are Different From Secular Goals
When most people make New Year's resolutions, they're essentially making promises to themselves. "I will lose 20 pounds. I will save $5,000. I will exercise four times a week." These goals rely entirely on personal willpower and self-discipline.
Christian resolutions start from a completely different foundation. We're not making promises to ourselves—we're asking God what He wants to do in and through us this year, and then aligning ourselves with His purposes. The distinction matters tremendously.
Galatians 5:16 says, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." Notice it doesn't say "try really hard not to gratify the desires of the flesh." It says walk by the Spirit. The power source is different.
When you set a goal to read your Bible daily because you think you should, you're operating in your own strength. When you ask God to give you hunger for His Word and then respond to that hunger by opening your Bible, you're partnering with what He's already doing. One approach leads to guilt when you fail. The other leads to transformation.
This is what it means to set goals WITH God instead of just FOR God. You're not manufacturing spiritual activity through sheer determination. You're responding to the Spirit's work in your life with intentional action.
How to Choose Your Christian Resolutions for 2026
Before you read the list below, take a few minutes to pray. Ask God which resolutions He wants you to focus on this year. Don't try to tackle all 20—you'll end up overwhelmed and discouraged.
James 1:5 tells us, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." Ask Him for wisdom about where you most need to grow.
Maybe you've been struggling with anxiety, and God has been prompting you to spend more time in prayer and less time scrolling through news feeds. Or perhaps you've felt convicted about your inconsistent church attendance, and the Holy Spirit has been nudging you back to regular worship.
Pick two or three resolutions maximum. Choose the ones where you sense God is already working, where there's a pull toward growth in that direction. Those are the resolutions most likely to stick because you're joining something God has already started rather than trying to manufacture spiritual growth on your own.
Write down your chosen resolutions somewhere you'll see them regularly. Share them with a trusted Christian friend who can check in with you. And remember—these aren't laws you have to keep perfectly. They're tools to help you grow in grace throughout 2026.
20 Biblical New Year's Resolutions for 2026
1. Read the Bible Daily
This one shows up on every Christian resolution list because it's foundational. You can't grow in faith without regular exposure to God's Word. Romans 10:17 says, "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ."
Start with just 10-15 minutes a day. Use a Bible reading plan through YouVersion, the Bible app, or choose one book of the Bible to read through slowly. The goal isn't to check a box—it's to actually engage with what you're reading.
Don't beat yourself up if you miss a day. Just pick back up the next day. Consistency over time matters more than perfection.
2. Establish a Consistent Prayer Life
Many Christians only pray during crises or before meals. But 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to "pray continually." This doesn't mean you're on your knees 24/7, but it means keeping an ongoing conversation with God throughout your day.
Set specific times to pray—first thing in the morning, during your commute, at lunch, before bed. Use a prayer journal to track requests and answered prayers. You'll be amazed when you look back and see how faithful God has been.
Start small. Even five minutes of focused prayer is better than zero minutes. As the habit builds, you can extend the time naturally.
3. Attend Church Every Sunday
Hebrews 10:24-25 is clear: "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Church attendance isn't about obligation—it's about being part of the body of Christ. You need other believers, and they need you. Your presence matters more than you realize.
If you've been hurt by church in the past, I understand the resistance. But isolation isn't the answer. Ask God to lead you to a church where you can heal and grow. Not every church is the same.
4. Join a Bible Study or Small Group
Studying the Bible with other believers takes your understanding deeper. You hear perspectives you'd never consider on your own. You build relationships with people who can encourage you when faith gets hard.
Check what your church offers. If nothing fits your schedule, ask around—there might be neighborhood groups or online studies you can join. If you can't find one, consider starting your own with 2-3 other Christians.
The accountability and community you gain from a small group can be life-changing.
5. Start Memorizing Scripture
Psalm 119:11 says, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." When Scripture is memorized, the Holy Spirit can bring it to mind exactly when you need it.
Start with short verses you already love. Write them on index cards and review them while you're waiting in line or during your lunch break. Use apps like Scripture Typer or Verses for help.
Don't aim to memorize a verse every day. Pick one verse per week or even per month. The goal is retention, not speed.
6. Practice Sabbath Rest
God didn't suggest Sabbath—He commanded it. Exodus 20:8 says, "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy." We need rest, not because we're weak, but because we're human.
Choose one day each week to rest from work and regular obligations. Use that day for worship, family time, reflection, and activities that restore your soul. Turn off work emails. Don't catch up on housework. Actually rest.
This will feel uncomfortable in our hustle-obsessed culture. Do it anyway. Your body, mind, and spirit need it.
7. Develop a Gratitude Practice
First Thessalonians 5:18 instructs, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Gratitude shifts your focus from what's lacking to what God has already provided.
Keep a gratitude journal where you write down three things you're thankful for each day. They don't have to be big—a good cup of coffee, a text from a friend, sunshine after days of rain. Small gratitudes train you to see God's goodness everywhere.
When you struggle with complaining or negativity, gratitude is the antidote.
8. Give Generously (Tithing and Beyond)
Proverbs 3:9 says, "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops." Giving isn't about earning God's favor—it's about recognizing that everything you have comes from Him.
If you've never tithed before, start with something. Give 5% if 10% feels impossible right now. As your faith grows, increase the percentage. God is more interested in your heart than the exact amount.
Look for opportunities to give beyond your tithe—help a struggling family, support a missionary, contribute to a local need. Generosity breaks the power of money over your life.
9. Serve in Your Church or Community
Romans 12:6-8 describes different gifts God gives believers—all meant for serving others. You have gifts that your church and community need.
Don't wait for the perfect serving opportunity. Just start somewhere. Volunteer in the nursery, help with setup and teardown, serve at a food bank, tutor kids who need help with reading.
Schedule your service commitment just like you'd schedule any other important appointment. Otherwise, it won't happen.
10. Find an Accountability Partner
Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." You need someone in your life who will ask hard questions and tell you the truth.
Look for someone who's a bit ahead of you spiritually—someone whose faith you admire. Ask if they'd be willing to meet regularly (weekly or biweekly) to discuss your spiritual growth, struggles, and goals.
Come prepared to each meeting with honest updates. Don't just give surface-level answers when they ask how you're really doing.
11. Forgive Others (Including Past Hurts)
Matthew 6:14-15 is sobering: "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
Forgiveness doesn't mean what someone did was okay. It doesn't mean you have to reconcile or trust them again. It means releasing the bitterness and desire for revenge, and leaving judgment to God.
If you're holding onto old wounds, ask God to help you forgive. This process takes time, especially for deep hurts. But unforgiveness only hurts you, not the other person.
12. Share Your Faith With One Person
Romans 10:14 asks, "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?" Someone in your life needs to hear about Jesus.
You don't need a theology degree or perfect answers. Just share what God has done in your life. Pray for opportunities and courage. Look for natural openings in conversations.
Start by simply inviting someone to church or a Christian event. That's sharing your faith too.
13. Listen to Worship Music Daily
Colossians 3:16 encourages, "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit."
Play Christian music in your car instead of talk radio. Put on worship music while you cook dinner or clean the house. Notice how it changes the atmosphere and your attitude.
Music shapes our thoughts more than we realize. Fill your mind with lyrics that point to God.
14. Fast Regularly
Jesus assumed His followers would fast. Matthew 6:16 says "when you fast," not "if you fast." Fasting helps you focus on God and break the control physical appetites have over you.
Try skipping one meal per week and spending that time in prayer. Or fast from social media for a day. Or give up desserts for a week while praying about a specific issue.
Fasting isn't about punishing yourself—it's about creating space to hear from God.
15. Reduce Screen Time and Social Media
Psalm 101:3 says, "I will not look with approval on anything that is vile." What you regularly consume shapes your thoughts, emotions, and desires.
Check your screen time settings. You might be shocked by how many hours you spend scrolling. Set daily limits on social media apps. Delete apps you don't truly need. Put your phone away during meals and the first and last hours of your day.
Replace mindless scrolling with Bible reading, prayer, or actual conversation with people around you.
16. Work on One Specific Sin Pattern
First John 1:9 promises, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." God doesn't expect sinless perfection, but He does expect us to address sin honestly.
What's your struggle? Gossip? Pornography? Anger? Envy? Pride? Pick one sin pattern to focus on this year. Study what Scripture says about it. Confess it to your accountability partner. Put practical boundaries in place to avoid temptation.
Real change happens when we stop making excuses and start taking action.
17. Improve One Key Relationship
Jesus said the second greatest commandment is to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39). Who in your life needs more of your time, attention, and love?
Maybe it's your spouse who's been getting your leftovers after work exhausts you. Maybe it's a child you've been too distracted to really listen to. Maybe it's a friend you keep meaning to call but never do.
Choose one relationship to invest in this year. Schedule regular time with that person. Ask better questions. Show up when they need you.
18. Read Christian Books
While the Bible is primary, good Christian books help you understand Scripture better and challenge you to grow. Proverbs 18:15 says, "The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out."
Set a goal to read one Christian book per month or quarter. Ask mature believers what books have impacted them. Read biographies of faithful Christians. Study theology. Learn from teachers who've walked with God longer than you have.
Join or start a Christian book club for accountability and deeper discussion.
19. Practice Spiritual Disciplines
Beyond the basics of Bible reading and prayer, spiritual disciplines like solitude, silence, fasting, and meditation help you grow. These practices have been used by Christians for centuries.
Pick one new spiritual discipline to explore this year. Spend an hour in complete silence with God. Practice lectio divina (meditative Scripture reading). Go on a personal retreat. Keep a Sabbath.
These disciplines aren't about earning points with God—they're about creating space to experience Him more fully.
20. Keep a Spiritual Journal
Recording your spiritual journey helps you see God's faithfulness over time. Write down prayers, answered prayers, Scripture that speaks to you, lessons you're learning, and struggles you're facing.
You don't need fancy supplies—a simple notebook works fine. Write as often as it helps, whether that's daily or weekly. Be honest about your doubts and questions, not just your victories.
Years from now, you'll read back through your journal and be amazed at how God has worked.
How to Keep Your Christian Resolutions All Year
Setting resolutions is the easy part. Keeping them requires intentionality and grace.
Schedule a weekly check-in with yourself. Sunday evenings work well. Review your resolutions and honestly assess how you're doing. Don't lie to yourself about areas where you're slipping.
When you fail—and you will—extend grace to yourself. Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning." Every single day is a fresh start.
Adjust your resolutions if needed. If you aimed to read the Bible for 30 minutes daily but keep failing, drop it to 15 minutes. Progress beats perfection every time.
Celebrate small wins. Did you pray three days in a row? That's worth acknowledging. Did you memorize one verse this month? Celebrate it. Small victories build momentum.
Remember that transformation is God's work, not yours. Your job is to show up consistently and let Him do the changing. Philippians 1:6 promises, "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
Bible Verses for Your 2026 Resolutions
Keep these verses handy when your motivation wanes:
Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
Proverbs 16:3 - "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
Psalm 37:5 - "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this."
Philippians 3:13-14 - "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Isaiah 43:18-19 - "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?"
Lamentations 3:22-23 - "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Prayer for Your 2026 Resolutions
Father, thank You for the gift of a new year. Thank You that Your mercies are new every morning, and that includes this morning, the first day of 2026.
I confess that I can't transform myself. I've tried before and failed. This year, I want to do things differently. I don't want to rely on my own strength or determination. I want to partner with what You're already doing in my life.
Show me which resolutions You want me to focus on. Give me wisdom to choose the areas where You're already working. Help me not to take on too much out of ambition or guilt.
When I fail—and I know I will—remind me of Your grace. Help me get back up and keep going without drowning in shame or giving up entirely.
Give me hunger for Your Word. Make prayer feel less like an obligation and more like time with someone I love. Surround me with believers who will encourage me and hold me accountable.
Most of all, help me remember that You're not waiting for me to get my act together before You love me. You love me completely, right now, in all my mess. These resolutions aren't about earning Your approval—they're about growing in the relationship we already have.
Thank You for never giving up on me. Help me not give up either.
In Jesus's name, Amen.
Conclusion
The calendar turning to January 1, 2026 doesn't hold magical power. But it does represent something important—a moment to reset, refocus, and realign your life with what matters most.
These 20 Christian resolutions aren't obligations you have to fulfill to be a "good Christian." They're opportunities to cooperate with what God is already doing in your life. Pick the 2-3 that resonate most deeply. The ones where you sense the Holy Spirit saying "Yes, this is what I want for you this year."
Write them down today. Share them with someone who will check in with you. Start small, but start. And when you stumble—because you will—remember that God's grace is sufficient. His power is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Transformation doesn't come through trying harder. It comes through abiding in Christ, depending on His strength, and showing up day after day even when you don't feel like it.
2026 can be your best year of faith yet. Not because you finally get everything right, but because you learn to rely on the One who already is.
What two or three resolutions are you committing to this year?
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