As soon as we get to the year 2026, most of us are already making resolutions and goals. But this year why not do the opposite by not committing to exercising or even aiming for promotions? What if our faith was the first thing to be taken care of ?

With the commencement of a fresh year, we are blessed with a rare moment to adjust our lives to the core values. At A.T. Merhaut, we have been with many families of faith for more than 60 years and have witnessed that even a year could be transformed by simple, intentional spiritual habits of a lifetime.

Why "Faith First" Matters

For the people living and moving in the modern world at a high pace, allowing their spiritual lives to be neglected is no difficulty at all. We promise ourselves more prayer, regular Mass attendance, and participation in Scripture, but still these good resolutions get covered by work deadlines, family commitments, and everyday distractions.

However, there is a truth: putting God first, everything else will fall into place even though life is not easier, we are stronger, more centered and hence equipped to face any challenges we meet.

Seven Spiritual Habits to Transform Your 2026

For the people living and moving in the modern world at a high pace, allowing their spiritual lives to be neglected is no difficulty at all. We promise ourselves more prayer, regular Mass attendance, and participation in Scripture, but still these good resolutions get covered by work deadlines, family commitments, and everyday distractions.

1. Start Your Day with Morning Prayer

Rather than immediately accessing your mobile device, or getting starting with your to-do list, offer God the first fruits of your day. Morning prayer, even as brief as five minutes, can influence everything that comes next.

Make it stick: Maintain a prayer book or devotional beside your bed. Consider starting with the Morning Offering, an easy but forceful prayer that dedicates your whole day to God, which is very effective.

Many of our customers find that having a beautiful prayer book within arm's reach makes this habit easier to maintain.

2. Commit to Daily Scripture Reading

The Word of God is living and active. When we read Scripture daily, we're not just learning about God—we're encountering Him.

Make it stick: Start small. Read just one Gospel passage each day, perhaps following the daily Mass readings. Consider using a Catholic study Bible with helpful commentary, or try a devotional Bible that includes daily reflections. The key is consistency over quantity.

3. Rediscover the Rosary

Even though the Rosary is one of the most powerful prayers of the Church, still many Catholics have difficulty making it a regular prayer in their lives. Let the Rosary be your strength this year. 

Make it stick:If you want it to last: Always carry a rosary in the car for commuting, on the nightstand for night prayer, or in the pocket as a reminder during the day. Begin by praying just one decade and then slowly increase to a full Rosary. There is a deep meaning in holding those blessed beads in your hands—it relates our physical actions to our spiritual intentions.

4. Observe a Weekly Sabbath Rest

God did not recommend rest but rather imposed it on people. The very fact that we live in a world where the whole idea of as restful a day as the Sabbath is no longer practiced, makes it revolutionary to modern-day Christians to practice.

Make it stick: Designate time every Sunday (or another day which fits your schedule) for having fun with God, relaxing and refreshing your spirit. This can include going to Mass, sharing a meal with family without any gadgets, hiking with God, or just sipping tea and reading a spiritual book.

5. Practice Regular Confession

There is astonishing deliverance in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The practicing of confession keeps our souls pure, our consciences clear, and God's relationship with us alive.

Make it stick: Write down confession times in your planner just like any other essential meeting. Try for monthly confession, or at least quarterly. If you have difficulty recalling what to confess, maintain a little journal to mark the times you have fallen short of God's love.

6. Create a Sacred Space in Your Home

Our environment shapes our spiritual life more than we realize. A dedicated prayer corner or home altar can serve as a visual reminder of God's presence in our daily lives.

Make it stick: Select a peaceful spot in your house. Place a crucifix or an icon, a candle, and maybe a figure of Mary or your saint who is closest to you. Contribute a Bible and a kneeler or a comfortable chair. Make it gorgeous—our faith involves all our senses, and beauty attracts us to God. It does not need to be sophisticated; even a tiny shelf with significant items can turn into holy ground.

7. Fast from Something Weekly

Fasting isn't just for Lent. When we voluntarily abstain from good things, we create space for God and train ourselves in self-discipline.

Make it stick: Choose one day each week (Friday is traditional) to fast from something. This might be food, social media, television, or shopping. Use the time you save and the hunger you feel as prompts for prayer. Offer your small sacrifice for a specific intention.

Making These Habits Last

Starting new habits is exciting, but sustaining them requires intention. Here are some practical tips to help these spiritual practices stick:

Start Small: Don't try to implement all seven habits at once. Choose two or three that resonate most with you, and add others gradually as these become established.

Link New Habits to Existing Ones: Attach your new spiritual practice to something you already do. Pray the Rosary while brewing your morning coffee, or do your Scripture reading right after lunch.

Find an Accountability Partner: Share your spiritual goals with a trusted friend or family member. Check in with each other regularly, pray for one another, and encourage each other when motivation wanes.

Be Patient with Yourself: You'll have days when you forget or simply don't feel like praying. That's normal. God's love doesn't depend on your perfect consistency. Just begin again the next day.

Track Your Progress: Consider using a simple journal or calendar to mark the days you complete your spiritual practices. There's something motivating about seeing a visual record of your faithfulness.

The Deeper Purpose

These habits aren't about earning God's love or proving our worthiness. We already have God's complete love—there's nothing we can do to make Him love us more or less.

Rather, these practices are about positioning ourselves to receive that love more fully. They're about clearing away the noise and distraction so we can hear God's voice. They're about training our hearts to recognize the sacred in the ordinary.

When we pray regularly, read Scripture, receive the sacraments, and create space for God in our homes and schedules, we're not checking off religious obligations. We're cultivating a real, living relationship with the God who created us, redeemed us, and calls us by name.

Equipping Your Journey

At A.T. Merhaut, we understand that sometimes the right tools can help sustain our spiritual practices. A beautifully crafted rosary reminds us to pray. A well-made Bible invites us to read. A crucifix or statue in our home anchors our prayer life.

These aren't just religious items they're companions on our faith journey. For over six decades, our family has been privileged to provide these sacred essentials to families throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond.

Whether you're looking for a durable rosary for daily use, a study Bible to deepen your understanding, prayer books for your morning routine, or beautiful religious art to create that sacred space in your home, we're here to help. Visit our store in Allison Park or explore our online collection at your convenience.

A Prayer for the New Year

As you begin this journey of putting faith first in 2026, we offer this prayer:

Heavenly Father, as we stand at the threshold of this new year, we place it and ourselves into Your hands. Help us to seek You first in all things. Give us the grace to be faithful in small things, knowing that You can use our humble efforts for Your glory. When we stumble, lift us up. When we grow weary, renew our strength. And through it all, draw us ever closer to Your Sacred Heart. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Begin Today

As you begin this journey of putting faith first in 2026, we offer this prayer:

There is no need to wait until the following Monday or the first day of the next month. There is no need to have everything very well arranged before you can start. The only thing you need to do is to start now and at your location.

The good news about prioritizing faith is that God will always come through if we make room for Him. He lets Himself be found when we look for Him. And when we center our lives on the things that matter the most, everything else begins to fit together nicely.

Why not make 2026 the year of faith in practice? Not in an ideal way but in a constant way. Not that it is an obligation but rather that it is a privilege.

The A.T. Merhaut community will keep you in their prayers as you move along these steps. May this year be the most spiritually fruitful one for you.

Are you prepared to invest in your faith journey? At Merhaut and take a look at our complete selection of Bibles, devotionals, religious gifts, and church supplies. Since 1960, our family has been serving yours, and we feel privileged to accompany you on your faith journey.