Father in Heaven, we come to You this morning as we welcome in a new year with much anticipation. Today, we look forward to a day of rest, perhaps time with friends and family, enjoying a meal, going to a movie or watching football.
What do You have planned for us in 2019? How can we serve You and others with the gifts, talents and resources You have blessed and equipped us with? How can we make a difference in the lives of others this year?As we look forward to a new year, and for some of us, a much-needed fresh new start, we also look back at 2018. Thank You for all of the blessings You have given us in our vocations, in relationships, and in our educational pursuits. Thank You for those who came to a new relationship with Jesus, Your Son, during the year. Thank You for the memories made with loved ones on trips throughout the year. You have been so good to us.
We also recognize times of loss and sadness during the year. We know that for the believer this world is as bad as things will ever be. We look forward to spending eternity with You. But for now, while we live and serve You here on earth, we know that we will at times experience pain, suffering, disappointment and loss. We already miss loved ones that You took home to be with You in 2018, and long to be reunited with them. We look back on bad choices we have made with regret, but rejoice that in the Gospel there is grace and forgiveness.
Father we look with hope to 2019. We pray that the organizations we labor in will be solid and our jobs safe. We pray for our leaders at work and in government, that they would act with integrity and ask for Your guidance. We pray for healing and comfort for those who are currently facing health issues. Please give those in the medical profession wisdom as they treat their patients.
Most of all, we want to live for You in 2019. We want to honor and glorify You in all we do so that You get the glory, not us. Just as Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve, we want to serve others in our vocations, families and relationships.
And whatever You do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
We want to be salt and light in all places and situations You put us in this year.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
We pray this in Jesus’ precious name,
Amen