Prayers for a New Year
“The greater the darkness is around you, the greater the light of Jesus shines within you.”
Thanksgiving
Holy Father, I give you thanks for who you are and what you have done in 2021. We, your unworthy servants, give you humble thanks for all the goodness and loving-kindness you have shown to us and all you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; and above all your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Grant to us such awareness of your endless mercies that, with truly thankful hearts, we may show forth our praise not only with words, but also with our deeds; not only with our lips but with our hearts. And we thank you for what your hand of loving-kindness will do in 2022 as we seek your kingdom and righteousness above all things.
Healing
Lord our Healer, we entrust ourselves into your care this new year and ask that your healing touch would come to our minds, bodies, and souls. Jesus, we need you to touch us once again, to revive our hearts to your ever-present Spirit that is with us. Heal that which has been fractured: broken relationships, strained marriages, broken dreams, shattered hopes. For those who are suffering from cancer, we ask your everlasting hand of restoration to be upon them. For those whose illness keeps them from enjoying their everyday lives, we ask for your hand of love to embrace them. For those who suffer from depression, mental illness, or substance abuse, may the power of your light shine in and through the darkness around them. May all who need a fresh touch in 2022 receive that which comes from your hand of healing, grace, and mercy. We look to you for comfort, sustaining peace, and grace in our time of need.
Weary
Lord of hosts, we recognize that we are broken, finite human beings who are desperately crying out for your eternal strength. We lift to you in prayer those who are weighed down by the many concerns and cares of this world. We are tired of facing constant change and weary of living in the unknown. Grant to us who labor for your kingdom the supernatural strength to persevere with Christ as our Good Shepherd. We entrust ourselves into your loving care that, fixing our eyes upon heaven and the glory of your everlasting kingdom, we might find the strength we need to take one day at a time, trusting you for your provision to strengthen our weary bodies.
Fresh Start
Heavenly Father, we confess before you that we need a fresh start. 2021 has been extremely challenging in many ways and we ask for a new start to 2022. Thank you that in Jesus all things are new - the old has gone and the new has come. Open our eyes to see you this new year in ways in which we have never seen you before. Grant us the ability to view obstacles in our way as opportunities to grow in your faith and trust in your holy name. Strengthen our faith to believe that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus.
Lonely
God, we are lonely and need your fresh touch. COVID-19 has led us to lead isolated lives where what we have known has been a glum memory of the past. Remind us daily that we are never alone and that you will never leave us nor forsake us. You are a good and benevolent Father whose love and mercy always surrounds us, even when we feel alone. Though we feel alone, we know that you are always with us, giving us that which we need and that for which we long. Draw ever closer to us who are lonely with the comfort of your Holy Spirit, and bring us into the kingdom of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Neighbors
Heavenly Father, help us to see others as you see them as dearly beloved children of God. Challenge us to learn the names of the people who live next door and to extend a hand however we might be able to serve. Constantly remind us that being like Jesus is serving others with a selfless, caring spirit that prioritizes the needs of others before our own. In a world that teaches us to look out only for ourselves, may our love and care for our neighbors be a witness that the God who raised Jesus from the dead also lives in us by the power of the Holy Spirit. Help us to filter what we do to and for others by the Golden Rule: do to others as you would have them do to you.
Work
Holy Father, we recognize that many are out of work. The realities of COVID-19 have changed and continue to change the workplace as we have known it. For those who are struggling to find work, grant them favor to find a new job. For those who are unable to work due to health complications, grant them your sustaining provision. And for those who are looking for work, we trust that you will provide the right opportunity at the right time. Align our organizations and places of work to reflect your eternal goodness and justice. And help us to act righteously and generously to those whose work is often marginalized and named as unimportant by society. Grant us your mercy to steward for your glory that which has been entrusted into our care.
Christian Community
Jesus, the gift of living in Christian community with our brothers and sisters in Christ is one of the greatest gifts you have given to your church. Help us not to give up the opportunity to meet in your house of worship, even when the ever-changing landscape of COVID-19 unfolds. Grant to us and all your chosen people the ability to prioritize unity in your church, for Jesus himself prayed that we would be one as he was one with his heavenly Father. Unite our hearts together in one accord that we might say: nothing will take away my worship from the One who is worthy of all praise, honor and glory. Help us to share our lives with one another in such a way that the people we meet are ultimately drawn into a relationship with you.
Hands and Feet
Almighty God, your power and glory are from everlasting to everlasting, and all things which you have made display your creative goodness on earth. Anoint our hands and feet to be your hands and feet. Help us to serve more faithfully those you bring into our lives. Help us to more closely and more intimately follow you where you lead the way of righteousness before us. And help us understand what we do for the least of these we do unto you. Guide our hands and feet to walk in your footsteps, taking up our cross to follow you, so that those who are touched by us are indeed touched by you.
The Church
O Lord, we pray for your one holy catholic and apostolic church. Fill it with all truth and peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, correct it; where it is amiss, graciously direct it; where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in need, provide for it; where it is divided, unite it together once again. May the mission of your church always be before it: to make disciples of all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that you have commanded. And as we go and serve, constantly remind us that you are with us, even to the end of the age.
O gracious Lord, hear our prayers.
Amen