A friend of mine shared that on New Year’s Day his parents had a tradition of sitting together with the past year’s calendars and appointment books and reviewing the year that was ending. Then, they prayed: in thanksgiving for all of the wonderful things, for strength for the challenges that had arisen, for forgiveness to fall on the places of failure, brokenness and regret, and finally, for what would be in the year that was beginning. I love this tradition. I imagined what that might look like if Faith reviewed the past year and prayed for the year to come?
Surely there would be prayers of thanksgiving: for births, and Baptisms, first Communions, engagements. For enduring friendships and continued commitment and joy in ministry.
And prayers for God’s continued strength as we remember those to whom we have said goodbye as we commended them to God’s eternal care.
Add prayers of gratitude for all of the difficult conversations that we have had. And a prayer for God to continue to guide and direct our study of the Word. May our hearts be truly open.
Prayers of forgiveness...
What might you add?
And what might be our prayer for the New Year? Surely for the Spirit to move in our midst and send us new pastoral leadership. Surely that we are guided to those in need of our care and our ministry. For non-anxious hearts as we face challenging financial realities. Surely for continued joy in worship. What else?
My prayer for Faith is that all of our lives are set in prayer as we begin another year in the Lord. Here are a couple of prayers that I found on-line. I offer them to you with all God’s blessings for 2020.
"A new year is unfolding—like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within. Lord, let this year be filled with the things that are truly good—with the comfort of warmth in our relationships, with the strength to help those who need our help and the humility and openness to accept help from others. As we make our resolutions for the year ahead, let us go forward with great hope that all things can be possible—with Your help and guidance." Amen.
May God make your year a happy one!
Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain,
But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes;
Not by making your path easy,
But by making you sturdy to travel any path;
Not by taking hardships from you,
But by taking fear from your heart;
Not by granting you unbroken sunshine,
But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows;
Not by making your life always pleasant,
But by showing you when people and their causes need you most,
and by making you anxious to be there to help.
God’s love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead. Amen.
--- Pastor G
Surely there would be prayers of thanksgiving: for births, and Baptisms, first Communions, engagements. For enduring friendships and continued commitment and joy in ministry.
And prayers for God’s continued strength as we remember those to whom we have said goodbye as we commended them to God’s eternal care.
Add prayers of gratitude for all of the difficult conversations that we have had. And a prayer for God to continue to guide and direct our study of the Word. May our hearts be truly open.
Prayers of forgiveness...
What might you add?
And what might be our prayer for the New Year? Surely for the Spirit to move in our midst and send us new pastoral leadership. Surely that we are guided to those in need of our care and our ministry. For non-anxious hearts as we face challenging financial realities. Surely for continued joy in worship. What else?
My prayer for Faith is that all of our lives are set in prayer as we begin another year in the Lord. Here are a couple of prayers that I found on-line. I offer them to you with all God’s blessings for 2020.
"A new year is unfolding—like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within. Lord, let this year be filled with the things that are truly good—with the comfort of warmth in our relationships, with the strength to help those who need our help and the humility and openness to accept help from others. As we make our resolutions for the year ahead, let us go forward with great hope that all things can be possible—with Your help and guidance." Amen.
May God make your year a happy one!
Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain,
But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes;
Not by making your path easy,
But by making you sturdy to travel any path;
Not by taking hardships from you,
But by taking fear from your heart;
Not by granting you unbroken sunshine,
But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows;
Not by making your life always pleasant,
But by showing you when people and their causes need you most,
and by making you anxious to be there to help.
God’s love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead. Amen.
--- Pastor G
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