The Arabian Sea stretches endlessly before me. As it curves toward the shoreline, fierce waves thrash against the barricade of jagged rocks. The waters roar and foam. The sound thunders in my ears as I gaze out at the ocean from the balcony of our Airbnb. We are on a family vacation in Kerala, in southern India. 

Yet, just the previous day, as we had gone ocean kayaking, the deeper we went into the sea, the calmer it became. There was no crashing of waves. Only the gentle splash of the water against our kayaks. 

As I viewed the endless ocean, the cry of my heart for the new year grew stronger: God, take me deeper.

More than ten years ago, I had whispered a similar prayer when we moved with our two kidlings from the US to India. At the time, the song “Oceans” rang in my ears and my heart: 

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders,

Let me walk upon the waters, 

Wherever You would call me, 

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander, 

And my faith will be made stronger, 

In the presence of my Savior.

 

This year, the tug on my heart is to go deeper. To step out. To do the hard thing. 

And so I pray for a daring yet dependent faith that goes deeper. 

 

I don’t want to stick to the safety of the shore.

I don’t want to be cradled in the convenient.

I don’t want to be trapped in the timid. 

I long for a no-excuses, get-on-with-it, confident-in-my-calling, bold, fearless faith.

I long for the obedience of Moses, who hesitantly gave God that ordinary staff he used to tend sheep. With his small step of surrender, the Creator unleashed the unexpected.

I long for the passion of Nehemiah, who wept and prayed over the broken walls of Jerusalem, and then courageously approached the king so he could live out his calling to rebuild the city.

I long for the boldness of Esther, who didn’t hide in the safety of the palace but risked everything for her people.

I long for the courage of David, who defeated the giant with the power of God and a slingshot. 

Friend, I don’t know about you, but I long for 2026 to be a year where my faith is daring yet completely dependent on Jesus as I go deeper than my feet could ever wander.

Would you join me in this prayer for a fearless faith?

Heavenly Father, As I stand on the brink of a new year, I pray for a bold faith. On my own, I tend to be hesitant, unsure, and timid. But I’m not on my own. YOU are with me. Just as You reminded Your people as they took possession of the Promised Land, You remind me too: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Your presence and Your power are enough. I pray for a no-excuses, step-out-of-the-boat, get-on-with-it, obedient, bold faith in action. A faith that follows through. A faith that may appear stupid to others but still perseveres. A faith that may start small but doesn’t stay weak. A faith that pleases You. In Jesus’ name. Amen

 

 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

 

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