A Prayer for the New Year
Most Holy God. We come to You ready for renewal. These past almost three years have been among the most unique we have ever known. May this coming new year be one that finds us healthy and closer to a sense of normalcy. We thank you for your healing power this past year as so many in our church family faced illness from the covid virus. We ask that you continue to watch over our health as we enter this new year.
We pray for our country. May Americans find a oneness that we have lately been sorely lacking. May we learn to not only appreciate the sameness between us, but may we grow to celebrate our differences. Bring us to a place where we approach one another with open hearts rather than closed minds.
Holy One, we pray for our planet. We recognize the Earth as a gift. Give us the strength and the knowledge to care for Your gift properly. Help us to see where we have been making poor choices in the way that we have been treating our beautiful planet. Guide us to better maintain its delicate environment so that generations to come may enjoy its splendor.
Creator, we pray for the people of our world. We pray for peace. We pray for kindness and understanding to spread throughout our globe. May each of your children, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation, financial status, age, language, physical or mental abilities, country of origin, or any other trait be looked upon with equality and worth. May we see in each of the world’s people a reflection of You.
Finally, we pray that in this coming year, each in our church family will experience a closeness to You even greater than before. May we expand our love and magnify our faith.
It’s in the name of Your blessed Son we pray. Amen.
