Our Father in Heaven,
On this first day of a new year, we thank and praise you for the many blessings that you provided for us in 2019. Some welcomed new children into their families, and what a blessing those children were. Some had career success, or enjoyed a year of retirement. Some enjoyed wonderful family vacations, deepening relationships. Still others experienced difficult years, perhaps losing a loved one, their health or their jobs, struggling to pay for essentials with each paycheck. In all of these situations we give you adoration and look to you as the sovereign, all powerful God of the universe, in control of all things.
As we look towards 2020, we want to live each day for you and your glory. We pray that we will grow in the following areas:
- Spiritual Growth. We pray for the help of the Holy Spirit to grow in our faith as we worship you in our local churches – or find a good gospel believing church if we don’t already have a church home. We pray that we would be faithful in reading and studying the Bible, as well as other good books, so that we can get to know you better and love you more. We pray for good prayer and devotional time each day.
- Physical Health. We pray for good health this year. Thank you for the doctors and nurses who labor so well, working long hours as they help to care for us. We pray that we would care for our bodies well by eating in a healthy manner, exercising regularly, and getting plenty of sleep so that we can serve you and other people well.
- Relationships. We pray that we would strengthen already good relationships and reconcile those that are broken, repenting and asking for forgiveness as necessary.
- Service. We pray that we would be generous with our time in serving others in our families, churches and communities.
Father you have given us so much, most of all your Son who came to earth as a man and went to the cross to provide salvation for us. We look forward to this new year and ask for thankful hearts for your blessings and opportunities, and ask for your grace, strength and comforting Presence in the challenges that it will provide us. Draw many to your Son this year so they may give you praise.
In Jesus’ precious name,
Amen