Do you struggle with having a vision for your life? Maybe you feel you have a calling from God, but you don’t know how to fulfill it, or maybe you have no idea of your purpose on this earth. Choosing one or two focus words is a great way to give yourself vision for the coming year. It gives you something to come back to when you lack direction, allowing you to grow deeper in one area of your life. Focus words give you a chance to reflect on your relationship with God.
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How to use focus words in 2024
Read through the list below and choose one or two focus words in areas you want to grow in. Prayerfully consider why you want to focus on these words this year, and write them down somewhere you will see them daily. Meditate on these verses and find other verses that point you back to God. Remember these words daily and use them as a tool to grow closer to God and your goals.
Whenever you find yourself in a slump this year, go back to your focus words and see how you can take actionable steps to living in the truth that God gives. Be reminded of His promises for you, and be redirected in your purpose.
Words to help you focus on God
Alpha and Omega
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” {Revelation 1:8}
If you are feeling overwhelmed and need to know that someone greater than you is in control, these focus words may be right for you! It is important to remember that God is the Alpha and Omega of your life. He is the beginning and the end. No matter what you are facing, God was there with you before you encountered it, He is with you in the battle, and He will be with you when you come out on the other side.
Creator God
“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.” {Revelation 4:11}
Sometimes we need to shift our focus to the Creator of the world. How will focusing on the Creator help you in 2024?
Praise
The Lord is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt him. {Exodus 15:2}
Do you need to learn to praise God in the storm? What are ways you can praise Him every day?
Related post: Praise God in the Storm: Life Learned from Joseph’s Circumstances
Focus words to help you put people first
Prayer
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” {Philippians 4:6}
Prayer is fundamental in communication with the Father. How can you be intentional about talking with God this year?
Related post: How to Pray the Lord’s Prayer Over Your Life
Community
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” {Hebrews 10:24-25}
God calls us to be in community with others. How can you find community in 2024?
Kind
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” {Ephesians 4:32}
Do you need to learn to show others God’s kindness this year?
Disciple
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. {Matthew 28:19-20}
One of the best ways to build on relationships is to be a disciple and disciple others. Is there someone you know that you could learn from? Ask them if they could disciple you in your faith this year. Is there someone you know who looks up to you and would like you to disciple them? Talk to them about it and see if you can meet weekly for Bible study and prayer.
Words to help you focus on what matters
Devotion
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” {Matthew 6:24}
Where has your focus been? Do you need to reprioritize your life? How can you be devoted to God in 2024?
Still
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)
Are you always on the go? Maybe it’s time to learn how to be still before God. As you meditate on these words this year, focus on what it means to know that God is God. How does this knowledge change you in your everyday life?
Related post: How to be still before God
Focus words to help you live in God’s blessings
Grace
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” {2 Corinthians 12:9}
Do you struggle with trusting that God’s grace is sufficient for you? How can you rest in God’s grace?
Joy
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” {James 1:2-3}
God tells us that we can have complete joy in Him, regardless of our circumstances. How can you have joy this year?
Life
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” {John 8:12}
Jesus came so that you could have life to the full. What does this mean for you in 2024?
Words to help you focus on who you are in Christ
Freedom
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” {John 8:36}
Sometimes we need to let go of the guilt and shame of the past. God promises that those He sets free through Jesus Christ are free. Where in your life do you need to focus on freedom?
Overcome
“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” {Revelation 12:11}
Do you need to hold on to the promise of God that you have overcome, not because of who you are, but because of who He is? How can you know this truth in 2024?
Transformed
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. {Romans 12:2}
God’s work in your life isn’t done when you are save, He calls you to continue to be transformed in Him. How can you continue in your relationship with God?
Victorious
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. {Galatians 2:20}
We are only victorious through His blood. How can you remind yourself of God’s greatness this year?
Words to help you focus on new habits
Discipline
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” {2 Timothy 1:7}
Discipline isn’t something that we want to work on. No one wants to be disciplined… I mean, waking up when your alarm goes off the first time – that’s discipline! How can you be disciplined in your relationship with God?
Faithful
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” {Hebrews 11:6}
Do you find yourself struggling with faith? Is it hard to believe? Faith and faithful are great words to help you focus on what matters this year. How can you be faithful to God this year, as you also reflect on His faithfulness to you?
Related post: How to Walk Faithfully with God in a Wicked World
Humility
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” {Proverbs 11:2}
God tells us to humble ourselves before him and He will life us up (James 4:10). How can you humble yourself to serve others and give God the glory this year?
Intentional
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” {Ephesians 5:15-17}
Being intentional is hard. It’s so easy to be pulled by whatever circumstances come. Why do you need to be intentional? How can you be intentional in 2024?
Relates post: Slow living: the amazing truth about finding your rest in God
Obey
“Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.” {Romans 6:16}
Do you need to work on your obedience to God? Say yes to Him this year.
Trust
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. {Proverbs 3:5-6}
Have you struggled to trust God in everything? How can you give God your life this year?
Focus words to give you direction
Purpose
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” {Matthew 28:19-20}
We were created to serve God and serve others. How might it help you to find your purpose this year by looking to the purpose God has already given?
Vision
“Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;
but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.” {Proverbs 29:18}
Do you lack vision in your life? Spend this year seeking God and His plans for you. Write down the Vision so you can be reminded of God’s promises throughout the year.
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