Our Savior and Friend!
Here we are post Advent and the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The season reminds us He is our peace and hope, love, and joy, and He is our Comforter, Defender – our Savior and Friend. We are truly blessed, even in a troubled world, so blessed that He sent His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but become inheritors of His coming Kingdom and be given everlasting life.
Let us pray,
Heavenly Father, You alone are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. And we thank You for Your Son our Savior Jesus Christ.
Lord we are standing before You at the start of another new year confessing our need of Your presence to guide us as we face the future. A future that is certain to You yet uncertain to us. Whatever the year holds, we humbly place ourselves in Your hands, trusting You for the strength, courage, and wisdom to meet the challenges that lie ahead – assured that You are always by our side and that we are always under Your love and protection.
Speak to us Lord In the midst of the inevitable disappointments, loss, heartache, and challenges that often confront us. Sometimes these things are thrust on us by the decisions of others. Fill us with the promise that You will provide us comfort and stability.
Often Lord, we will make our resolutions for the new year, yet we fall to temptations and to our own will. Sometimes losing our way yet still You remain steadfast. In Your Word there is always the direction we need to do what is right in your sight.
Holy Spirit, we pray that when we find ourselves preoccupied with our own lives, You will open our eyes to the difficulties, pains, and sorrows of the surrounding world – help us to respond with compassion and the appropriate care.
We also pray for our nation and our leaders, especially those seeking to bring peace and justice in our fractured world. We pray that our divided nation will find its way back to a common vision and may we remember that we are adopted sons and daughters – blessed to be a blessing - to share all the good things You have given us.
Lord, by Your grace may we renew our commitment to center our lives on You and may we move forward with expectancy and faith.
We ask all this in the name of our Lord and Savior who gives us hope for this world and the world to come. AMEN.