Prayer For a New Year

Originally posted on January 3, 2016

Holy God,

We give you thanks for this new year, together, as your people.

We give you thanks for new beginnings.

As each new year is like a blank page in our book of life, may we carefully choose how we fill that page.

In every opportunity where we struggle for patience, may we recognise that you are gifting us with the opportunity to learn to be patient.

In every opportunity where we struggle for courage, may we recognise that you are gifting us with the opportunity to learn to be courageous.

In every opportunity where we struggle for control, may we recognise that you are gifting us with the opportunity to share in the ministry of the whole.

In every opportunity where we struggle to feel included, may we recognise that you are giving us with the opportunity to learn new ways to build and sustain community.

In every opportunity where we struggle to be heard, may we recognise that you are gifting us with the opportunity to find new ways to communicate.

In every opportunity where we struggle to be closer, may we recognise that you are gifting us with the opportunity to find new ways to love one another.

We give you thanks, loving God, for this new page in the book of our lives;

We ask for the guidance of Your Spirit to make this page a work of beauty, joy, and faith; of loving service; of commitment to building the unity of Christ’s church.

As you have promised that you make all things new, we thank you for the opportunity to start anew this year – in our hearts, our minds, our souls, our strength. May all we say and do live into this new reality, and glorify your holy name.