A New Year's Day Prayer 2020

A new year's day prayer by two churches, from which I have and have had the blessing of fellowship throughout my Christian life to date, in rememberance of thanksgiving and prayer (Philippians 1:1-6).

"Almighty Lord and Loving Heavenly Father, 
I praise you that you are the God of resurrection and rebirth. By the power of your Holy Spirit you renew human life, bring hope and peace even where death descends.
Give me your wisdom as the year unfolds: teach me how better to love those it is my calling to love - whether that be family, friends, neighbours, or enemies; watch over my steps and keep me from sin. Preserve me from harm and danger; keep me healthy in body, mind, and spirit; give to me a longing for your justice and your horror of evil; and let me be filled with the knowledge of your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, that I might lead a life worthy of the Lord. I give you thanks for the year just past and for all that you have given me in it, whether that be its delights and joys or its pains and sorrows; and I give to you the year ahead. Give me the opportunity of doing such good works in this coming year, that people may see the love of Jesus Christ abundantly in me.   
And Almighty and Everliving God, I pray for our troubled and divided world, that you might bring peace and reconciliation in this coming year, and that those who lead us would be filled with wisdom and humility. I pray that the name of Jesus Christ would be known among the nations of the earth, and I pray especially for those who are suffering for his name at this time - that their light would not be dimmed, and that you would heed their pleas to protect them. 
In all these things, Father, I pray in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who died for me and lives again that I might know the power of his resurrection. Amen"  

By Michael Jensen, St Marks Darling Point.

"You made this land and have blessed us with its riches and beauty.
Lord of all days and years, and time and eternity,
We have not always cared for the land, the wildlife, the waterways as you would have us do.
You are a gracious and forgiving God, a refuge to all who seek your shelter, our strong defence in trial and tribulation.
Send rain we pray to extinguish flames and heal our land.
Mercifully protect life and property.
Give help and hope to our neighbours assailed by fire.
Comfort and provide for those who grieve.
Uphold those who suffer loss,
Give peace and hope to those bewildered and broken-hearted.
We thank you for men and women of courage and selflessness.
We thank you for brave communities of care and support,
We thank you for those who share your comfort and hope,
We thank you for those at a distance giving and praying.
Lord, you sent your Son so that we would know your power to save, your presence with your people in this world of turmoil, and your promise to renew the whole creation. Turn our hearts to you, that we may have faith for this day and hope for eternity.
We ask in Jesus' name. Amen." 

By Kanishka Raffel, St Andrews Cathedral.


If you are able, interested or would like to help battle the blazing bushfire across Australia, check out https://anglicanaid.org.au/nsw-bushfire-appeal and https://ardfa.org.au/.


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