Humanitarian Bucket List

Are you making resolutions? Have you picked a word for the year? Are you someone who keeps a bucket list but with no designated end?

No matter what you call it or how you plan it, the new year is a great time to consider changes you would like to make or things you would like to accomplish. 

This year why not include serving others as part of your plan? Here are four simple ways you can make a difference in the lives of people near and far this year.

Pray

It almost seems too simple. But God invites us to participate in His work through prayer. James 5:16b says, “The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness” (NET). 

God calls us to intercede on behalf of others. He asks us to bring our needs — and the needs of others — to Him. He uses our prayers as part of His redemptive plan. 

Start small. Pray for five minutes a day. Pick a place or a people group. Learn about their needs. Pray for their specific requests — both physical and spiritual. Trust that God is working as you lift up others in prayer. 

Stay

Take a look around you. Do you have a neighbor who could use a hand? Is there a shelter, food pantry, or community center with monthly service opportunities? Does your church host special activities where volunteers are needed? 

Look for ways to make a difference in the lives of those around you. Befriend someone who feels forgotten. Make a meal for a family feeling overwhelmed. Help an older neighbor with a project they could not do themselves. 

You do not have to travel the world to make a difference. You can make an impact by staying right where God has placed you and serving those around you. 

Give

If prayer sometimes feels too intangible, giving can be a way to tangibly practice your faith. 

The Bible has a lot to say about money. Jesus makes it clear that how we handle money is a window into our soul (Matthew 6:19–24). Do we use money to serve ourselves or God’s kingdom? 

You do not have to make a lot — or give a lot to make a difference. Jesus simply desires you to use whatever He has given you to help those in need. 

Pick a cause you care about. Find an organization you resonate with. Select a missionary to support. Then give cheerfully and sacrificially to help meet needs and share hope around the world. 

Go

Maybe this is your year to go somewhere. You have been thinking about it for a while. Now it is time to move forward. 

If you have not already, pray about where God might have you go and serve. Can you go with your church? Is there a trusted organization that needs volunteers? Do you have an opportunity to go with a friend or take your family along too? 

Going changes you. It shifts your perspective. It teaches you humility. It expands your view of God. No matter where you go or who you serve, count on your life being impacted just as much — or even more — than theirs. 

Prayerfully consider how God wants you to serve Him this year. Then write down your goals. We have provided everything you need to get started!