Heavenly Father, we come to you in prayer at the start of this New Year with bended knee and humble heart. We start by first giving you thanks for the year that just went by. We thank you for keeping watch over us and shielding us from the many misfortunes and disasters that undoubtedly swayed over our heads and homes. From fires and floods, from accidents and calamities, and from Satan himself who stalks around the House of God like a roaring lion to see whom he can trick or beguile into his dark empire with his traps and snares.
We also thank you for the health of family and friends. For the wind and the rain that made our crops and gardens grow so we your children can nourish, clothe and house ourselves. For the many and uncountable blessings you bestowed upon us when we were too busy or too distracted to notice.
We pray for those who are hurting, going through illness, hard or troubling times, or may have even lost a loved one or friend this past year, we ask you Father to give them special care, bind their wounds and salve their broken hearts. Take them in your arms and comfort them. Shine upon their darkest hours, Oh Light of the World. Give them solace through your Word.
We have gotten another year older, but have we gotten closer to you, Father? Have we dedicated enough time and praise to you? Have we been thankful and grateful enough for all that we have and for all that you do? Have we spent enough time throughout the year with your Word?
I think we all have to hang our head in shame at these questions, but Father it is you who works in us, both to will and to do for your good pleasure. As we enter this New Year, pour out over us your Holy Spirit that we shall be like a watered garden, like a tree that has its roots by the stream. Produce in us the fruits of your Spirit; love, joy and peace, gift us with patience, kindness, gentleness and goodness, and grant us self-control and faithfulness.
We ask you to lead and guide us through this new Year. Help us to be the person that you want us to be and do the things that you want us to do. Give us a humble and thankful heart. Make us be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Make our light shine that it may glorify you, O Father.
We ask for your blessings when we go out in the spring to seed, for the morning dew and the summer rain, for the gentle wind and the warming rays of the life-giving sun. Multiply our seeds and herds, that by reaping and gathering we can sing your praise.
We also ask you for health and wisdom, for peace in the land, for justice and stability in government, for the freedom to praise your name, and for grace and mercy from your loving hand forevermore.
This all we pray in the name of Jesus
Amen.
