10 Ways Christians Can Celebrate “Evaluate Your Life Day” on October 19th
Every year on October 19th, we have the opportunity to celebrate “Evaluate Your Life Day.” It’s a chance to think about our lives and try to become better people. This day lets us look at ourselves and see if we’re still doing well.
This unique holiday offers Christians a valuable opportunity to align this practice with our faith. Here, we’ll explore some meaningful ways Christians can celebrate and make the most of “Evaluate Your Life Day” this year!
1. Reflect with Prayer and Meditation
Kickstart the day with a sincere prayer. Approach the Lord with an open heart, and seek His guidance, wisdom, and strength to evaluate your life honestly. Spend time in quiet meditation, allowing His presence to permeate your thoughts.
A helpful prayer: “Heavenly Father, thank You for Your guidance. Forgive me for getting ahead of Your plans, and help me know when to stop and listen for Your direction. Your ways are perfect, Lord. Thank You for offering gentle grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” – Kristine Brown
2. Study Scripture
Dedicate time to read and meditate on relevant Bible verses that touch upon self-examination and personal growth. Scriptures such as 2 Corinthians 13:5 are particularly poignant and can provide valuable insights into this process.
A helpful prayer: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” – Psalm 139:23-24
3. Do Some Gratitude Journaling
Begin a gratitude journal, recording the blessings and things you are thankful for in your life. This practice shifts your focus towards positivity and contentment, reminding you of God’s grace and providence.
A helpful prayer: “Lord, teach me to offer you a heart of thanksgiving and praise in all my daily experiences of life. Teach me to be joyful always, to pray continually and to give thanks in all my circumstances. I accept them as Your will for my life.” – Adapted from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
4. Participate in Acts of Kindness
Implement acts of kindness throughout the day. Jesus’s teachings heavily emphasize love and service to others. “Evaluate Your Life Day” is an excellent opportunity to live out these teachings by spreading love and kindness in your community.
A helpful prayer: “O Lord, Give me strength today to show kindness in all that I do. Help me to open my arms to those less fortunate and extend my hand to those who may need it, so that they may see You in my kind words and actions. Amen.” – PVNC Catholic District School Board
5. Practice Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Use this day to evaluate your relationships and assess whether there are unresolved conflicts or grudges in your life. As you reflect on the Lord’s Prayer, remember the phrase, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Extend forgiveness to others and seek forgiveness where needed.
A helpful prayer: “Dear Lord, please forgive me for harboring anger. Equip me with a supernatural ability to forgive those who have hurt me. Guard my heart when old emotions threaten to surface. Strip my heart of anger and replace it with joy. In Jesus’s name, Amen.” – Tracie Miles
6. Attend a Church Service or Spiritual Gathering
If possible, attend a church service, Bible study, or any spiritual gathering dedicated to self-reflection and spiritual growth. Many congregations offer special programs and messages tailored to evaluating your life.
A helpful prayer: “Lord Jesus, I hunger and thirst for spiritual growth. Help me to grow in my walk with You. Dear Lord, give me grace for the day. Provide the things I need this day, I pray.” – Women of Prayer
7. Participate in Fellowship with Fellow Believers
Spend quality time with fellow Christians. Engage in meaningful conversations about faith, life, and personal growth. Sharing your thoughts, experiences, and aspirations can offer mutual encouragement and spiritual insights.
A helpful prayer: “Lord, lead me to find and cultivate deeper friendships and be a good friend in all that I do. Shower your blessings upon those I call friends, that you may ever be in our midst. Bind us together, Lord, for a cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Amen”. – Prayer and Possibilities
8. Set Spiritual Goals
Take this opportunity to set goals and intentions for your spiritual journey. Consider how you can align your life more closely with your faith by embodying the teachings of Christ and living out your Christian values.
A helpful prayer: “Lord, I need more faith like the disciples. Increase my faith and make me a mover of mountains. Grow my belief in You alone so that I would be strong in the Lord and ready to battle against the doubts planted by the enemy. Lord, increase my faith!” – iBelieve
9. Engage in Charitable Acts
Participate in charitable activities by volunteering at a local charity, food bank, or outreach program. Your acts of service exemplify your commitment to Christ’s teachings and offer a tangible way to celebrate “Evaluate Your Life Day.”
A helpful prayer: “Jesus, you embody Love and Truth. Help us to recognize your face in the poor. Enable us to live out our vocation to bring love and justice to Your people. Holy Spirit, inspire us to transform our world.” – USCCB
10. Bond With Family
Spend quality time with your family. Engage in deep and meaningful conversations about your shared faith and how you can collectively grow as Christians. Encourage and support each other on your spiritual journeys.
A helpful prayer: “Gracious God, help us to love each other fervently. Grow our love so deep that it is able and willing to overcome and forgive a multitude of misgivings. Inspire a spirit of hospitality in each of us and enable us to cheerfully share our home. We acknowledge that you have given each of us spiritual gifts.” – Jesuit Resource
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Want to spend more time in prayer, but not sure where to start (or how to stay consistent)? Prayer journaling is a fun practice to help you regularly talk to God — and see how He answers your prayers in return!
Here’s how to start prayer journaling — plus 20 journaling prompts perfect for Christian women!
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