Beth Jones, International Speaker, Author, & Coach

Do you have a new word and Scripture verse for 2026?

At the end of each year, I like to review the past year, see what went well and what didn’t, and to pray about the coming new year. Several years ago, I began praying about a “one word” instead of making new year’s resolutions, which are so easily and quickly broken. 

In 2025, God gave me TWO words: “surrender” and “believe.” He spoke to my heart that the more I surrendered to Him and His will, the more I would believe and have faith in Him.

I’ve found this to be true this year. I wrote a book about the dark valley that I’ve been walking through since October 2024, and how I’ve had to trust in Jesus as I’m going through it. God is faithful and He will walk through the valley with you and me and take us safely to the other side!

While I don’t hear an audible voice from Heaven saying to me “This is your one word,” usually I get an impression about a word or phrase before the beginning of the new year (although not always; sometimes it’s after January 1). Typically, I hear the word of phrase several times from various sources and realize that God is speaking (and confirming) the word. I go with God and my gut, which have never steered me wrong.

Sometimes I don’t want the word. In fact, usually I don’t! Some people have exciting one words like “adventure” or “upgrade.” This year 2026’s one word is, “Anchor.”

And no, I don’t want it! Because that means things are going to happen in 2026 where I need to hold onto God! Uh oh!

The good news is that God has already gone ahead of me (and you) for this coming year. He will guide us with His word, never leave us alone or forsake us, and protect us. He will also bless us as we walk in obedience to Him.

The definition of “anchor” according to the Merriam Webster online dictionary is:

• a device usually of metal attached to a ship or boat by a cable and cast overboard to hold it in a particular place by means of a fluke that digs into the bottom;
• a reliable or principal support, mainstay;
• something that serves to hold an object firmly.

In doing research on ship anchors (the speaker, author, and teacher in me), I discovered that the earliest anchors were probably heavy rocks. The ancient Greeks used rocks, large sacks filled with sand, and wooden logs filled with lead. (Source: Wikipedia) 

There are different types of anchors:

• Fluke, enabling quick burying in the seabed and penetrates sand or mud, providing excellent holding power. Suitable for cruising, sailing, or fishing boats;
• Plow has a curved blade to embed in the seabed and provides resistance to any weather condition. Known for high holding power. Used by small boats and large yachts;
• Claw has several curved prongs for an excellent grip, even on rocky or uneven seabeds. Used for large vessels;
• Mushroom has a round, heavy head, settles in the seabed, where it can resist dragging. Used for permanent mooring in place marinas or lakes. Their design makes it advantageous in soft mud or sand.
• Concrete (cast solid) for permanent mooring installations. Used for fixating floating docks and permanent mooring systems in harbors or lakes.
• Screw (made with high strength materials) are somewhat like huge screws or bolts to be screwed into the seabed for a tight grip. Used in offshore mooring systems where other types of anchors can’t have a good grip on the seabed;
• Heavy-duty anchors are usually used on large vessels like cargo ships or oil tankers. They may weigh several tons, made with high-strength steel, to withstand the tremendous forces created by winds and currents. Their designs may include multiple flukes or plow shapes to increase their holding power. (Source: Types of Ship Anchors and Their Uses, Primo Nautic, October 31, 2024, https://primonautic.com/blog/types-of-ship-anchors-and-their-uses/)

That’s all you and I wanted to know about anchors. Why is this information important? Because different kinds of vessels, sea beds, wind conditions, and ocean currents matter. You aren’t going to want to use a mushroom or a heavy-duty anchor for a small boat on a lake with a little wind. You will want a heavy, strong anchor on a big ship in a fierce storm!

When I pray about my “one word” for the year, I also ask God for a Scripture. This serves as my anchor (pun) verse for the year. Here’s my 2026 Scripture:

“This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” (Hebrews 6:19, NLT)

I’m also reading and studying the story of Paul in Acts 27:13-38 when he was a prisoner on the ship, to come before Caesar, and there was a terrible northeaster storm. The crew thought that they were going to die, but Paul reassured them that God had told him that they would survive but that the boat would be lost. They put out four anchors from the back of the ship. I’m sure there’s something in this passage (and other verses on anchors) for God to speak to my heart and teach me something.

When I began to sense that “anchor” was my one word for 2026, I bought a sterling silver anchor necklace from Amazon to wear often throughout the year. I had bought one several years ago, but lost it. Then after the new one arrived, I found it–in my jewelry dresser! I now have two anchor necklaces. One is smaller than the other. They are beautiful. Maybe I’ll give one away as a gift to someone this year. 

I believe that one of my songs for this year is an “oldie” – The Anchor Holds. You can watch and listen to it here with the lyrics on YouTube:

What is your one word, Scripture, and/or song for 2026? Please share below in the comments.