Our Father in Heaven,

As we begin 2021, we turn to you for your help and guidance. We thank you most of all for sending Jesus, your only son, to earth to pay the price for sin that we could never pay. In an amazing “Great Exchange”, Jesus took our sins upon Himself and gave us His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). As we face 2021, we know that without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5).
Father, 2020 was a very difficult year. Many of us lost loved ones, from COVID-19 or other reasons. The worldwide pandemic has resulted in our lives – work, school, wearing masks, watching church online, fear, etc. – being changed. With the coming vaccinations, we have new hope that soon the worst will be behind us.
May 2021 be a year in which our love for You grows. May many family and friends be drawn to You in saving faith. The call to be about our Father’s business doesn’t change, whether we are in difficult circumstances (a global pandemic) or in pleasant places. Help us in our calling of the Great Commission to share your good news and make disciples of all nations.
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:18-20
May we be people that bring your light and hope to everyone around us. Knowing that you are sovereign, may we find our rest in Thee.
Day by day, day by day
O, dear Lord, three things I pray
To see Thee more clearly,
Love Thee more dearly,
Follow Thee more nearly,
Day by Day
“Day by Day Dear Lord” by Richard of Chichester

May businesses that have struggled during the pandemic be restored. We pray that workers and students, lonely and isolated, be able to return to their workplaces and schools. May we find joy in relationships that had to be distanced in 2020.
Father, we pray for our country and new leadership. We seem to be more divided than ever, getting further apart each day. It is only through You that we can begin to mend past hurts and injustices, respect our differences, and truly love our neighbors. We also pray for faithful church leaders, as they navigate these difficult times.
We pray for those who are ill – be it from cancer, COVID-19, Alzheimer’s disease, etc. We pray for healing for them, and also strength for those who are providing care.
As we look forward to 2021, we do so with hope. Ultimately, we look forward to the New Jerusalem, the new heaven and new earth, where we are told:
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.  (Revelation 21:4)
Father, as we enter a new year, help us meditate on the words of the hymn “May the Mind of Christ My Saviour” written by Kate Barclay Wilkinson

May the mind of Christ, my Saviour,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His power.

May the peace of God my Father
Rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me,
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self-abasing,
This is victory.

May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me
As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel,
Seeing only Him.

In Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen