Dear
Lord Jesus, At the beginning of a new year we give you thanks for all
the blessings we enjoy, among which are: clean air to breathe, clean
water to drink, a warm place to stay, good food to eat, the blessing
of communication with others we love – phones and e-mail and a host
of other things that may be used to your glory. We thank you for
family and friends, those who stand by us, correct us, listen to us,
cheer us, protect us, push us to be our best, defend us, and still
love us… and vice-versa. We are blessed beyond our powers to thank
you, but not beyond living out our gratitude. Help us to be grateful
in our life here on this planet, for life is brief, a tale quickly
told. Life flies like a weaver’s shuttle, a moment and it is gone.
Help us at the beginning of this year to begin again a life of
gratitude. May we be overwhelmed with gratitude so that we may not be
overwhelmed with hatred or despair. Call us to count our blessings,
to remember our heritage, to smile and laugh and reach out to others.
Help us to take up your cross for others, for your children who
suffer because of your name, the persecuted of the earth, the
Christians enslaved around the world. So keep us focused in our
gratitude, Dear Lord Jesus, on your gospel and your kingdom. And,
again, we will be grateful.
Be
near to those who need you today. Be close to those whose homes are
threatened. Touch those whose lives have taken a radical turn. Free
those who are caught by alcohol and drug dependencies. Ease the pains
of those sick this day. Be near the saints who prepare for their
journey home. Bless our church in this year and help us to open our
doors, open our heart to others who need you as much as we do. Hear
our words spoken in sound or silence, and hear these words we offer
to you….. Pray the Lord’s Prayer.
From the prayers of Willard Spencer
