As the calendar turns to 2026, millions of Americans will once again set New Year resolutions — promises to themselves about fitness, finances, or career goals. Yet too often in those long lists of weight loss, giving up alcohol, stopping the addiction to our phones or securing that promotion, the one thing not on the list is spiritual growth. And that is the biggest mistake we could possibly make.

You see, spiritual resolutions don’t just shape your faith; they also transform your relationships, improve your mental wellbeing, and give you a sense of purpose.

Of course, every New Year is a chance to reset, but this year, it feels especially urgent. The pace of life is accelerating, and distractions are everywhere, but by putting spiritual resolutions first, you can ensure that your priorities align with what truly matters.

As founder of Pray.com, I’ve seen firsthand how making spiritual commitments can transform lives.

So here are my Top 10 reasons why spiritual resolutions should be at the very top of your list this year.

1. They Are Your Foundation in Uncertain Times

The world doesn’t just feel unpredictable, it is without doubt more uncertain than ever. From financial struggles to cultural divisions and political disharmony, life today is turbulent. Daily spiritual practices like prayer, meditation, and reading the Bible provide a steady anchor. When storms come, you won’t be tossed around by fear, you will be grounded in faith.

2. They Strengthen Mental Health

Studies by academics consistently show that people who engage in regular spiritual practices report lower stress and greater emotional well-being. Prayer and reflection help quiet the mind, reduce anxiety, and instil gratitude. In a culture overwhelmed by burnout, spiritual resolutions are a proven path to peace and with it, happiness.

3. They Deepen Your Relationships

If I said Christians often enjoy deeper friendships and stronger relationships, you’d be right to ask, “How?” Because spiritual growth isn’t private—it’s relational. As you actively practice forgiveness, compassion, and humility, your family and friends experience the impact. Spiritual resolutions remind us that love is more than emotion; it’s something we show, day after day, to the people in our lives.

4. They Build Resilience

The one thing you can guarantee about 2026 is that it will bring challenges your way— that’s a given. Exercising your spiritual ‘muscles’ equips you to endure hardship with hope and belief. Whether through daily prayer or weekly worship, you build resilience that no gym membership or personal trainer could ever match.

5. They Give You Purpose

Many resolutions focus on external achievements like losing weight, earning more, traveling farther. Spiritual resolutions redirect your focus inward, reminding you of what really matters in life. In a world that for so many has lost its meaning, they help you ask not just “What do I want to do?” but “Who am I meant to be?”

6. They Inspire Generosity

Spiritual growth naturally leads to giving. When you make a deliberate decision to get closer to God, you also grow closer to the needs of others. Whether volunteering, donating, or simply being kind to people for no reason, spiritual resolutions cultivate a generous heart that changes not just you, but those around you.

7. They Create Daily Discipline

Resolutions often fall apart because they don’t go very deep, and sometimes because there’s no real structure behind them. Spiritual practices are different because they are rooted in a daily rhythm of morning prayer, evening reflection, or weekly worship. These patterns create consistency and teach us that small daily steps can bring lasting change to our lives.

8. They Offer Eternal Perspective

Whether it is pounds lost, dollars saved, or bad habits abandoned, most resolutions are temporary and short lived. However, spiritual resolutions remind us of eternity. They lift our eyes beyond the immediate and help us live with hope, knowing our lives are part of a bigger story.

9. Prayer May Not Change Every Circumstance, But it Will Change You

Most of us can point to times in our lives when we prayed for something specific and didn’t receive the answer we hoped for. Prayer was never meant to guarantee that life goes our way, but it does promise the presence of God with us every day. As you pray more consistently, your first instinct shifts from panic to prayer, and your heart is strengthened to endure what life brings.

10. They Bring Joy That Lasts

At the end of the day, spiritual resolutions aren’t about rules, they’re about joy. The joy of life having meaning, the joy of living for others and not just ourselves, the joy of walking in faith and believing in something higher. Unlike passing fads or the trending “must have,” this joy endures.

This year, don’t just resolve to change your body or your bank account, resolve to change your soul. Put spiritual resolutions at the top of your list for 2026 and watch how everything else falls into place.

Zak Shellabarger is a Senior Writer for Pray.com, the leading app for daily prayer and biblical audio content. Zak is passionate about communicating the beauty of the biblical narrative, serving in pastoral teaching ministry with Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business/corporate communications and is host and lead writer for Pray.com’s The Jesus Podcast.