Heavenly Father,
You have carried us into a new year. You gave us the stars and planets in order to mark the passing of our days. And indeed they do pass. But may our life in you continue. Thank you for this grace: by Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, you have brought us into your communion — the communion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We rejoice in you more than we rejoice in the New Year.
You are the one who makes all things new.
You are the author and perfecter of our faith.
You are the Shepherd of our souls.
In all our relationships we pray that you would be glorified. We confess that we are so unlike you; your thoughts are not our thoughts and your ways are not our ways. Except for your Spirit and your Word and your Church we would be left to our own devices. So we seek you and ask that in this New Year we would not be conformed to the patters of this world, but rather we would be conformed to Christ Jesus our Lord.
We lift up to you the dear people of Croatia. For those languishing in the cold of refugee camps — may you move hearts and embolden authorities to act decently and aggressively for their daily bread and housing. For those struggling because of the recent earthquake — may you grant them peace for anxieties awakened by this shaking and housing for those whose homes have been destroyed. Oh Lord may your church in Croatia thrive as messengers of hope and as neighbours who care.
We lift up to you your church across Canada. As we have gathered online now for months we pray that you would encourage us. Send your Spirit Lord and stir our hearts with love for our brothers and sisters. May the overflow of our fellowship with you and with each other be a blessing to all the peoples.
(Please join me in the Lord’s Prayer.)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one;
for yours is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever.
Amen.
This prayer was part of the Origin Church Weekend Broadcast on 2 January 2021.