Prayer

God our salvation,

We pray for joy to so fill our hearts that we are impelled to find new ways to express it. As the new year begins, and after so many laments, let a new song come forth, in our personal lives and our lives together in ministry. A new song of healing, rejoicing, and peace. In these precious first steps of a new year, empower us to sing that new song by choice and desire, with blessing on our lips, grateful for the liberation that has come to us and that we are privileged to extend to others. Amen.

Prayer

God of the new,

It is the time of the year when we think about new horizons. Even if we resist the fad to make resolutions, we still harbor hope to begin the year fresh. Help us in this. To make good on our hopes and the dreams you have given. Do not let fear hold us back. Ever stretching, ever yearning for growth and new life, may we live every day in the freedom you have won for us. In our personal lives and in our life as a ministry, fill us with courage to approach new horizons. Amen.

Prayer

God our strength,

As the year winds down and another approaches, we are often prone to take stock, of what we set out to accomplish and what we have, in fact, done… or not. Whatever the outcome, give us grace for ourselves and the strength to go on. May we continue each day to realize the dreams you have placed in our hearts. For the sake of your mission among us, we pray. Amen.

Prayer

Always good God,

In your life and teaching, you taught us to seek your kingdom first and its righteousness, insisting we should test you in this. With our priorities straight, everything we are anxious about will sort itself out. It feels like a risky wager, yet we have so many witnesses who confirm the wisdom of this path through life. Free us today to embrace that wisdom more fully. Conform us more to your will, that we might rest in your promise and carry on. Amen.

Prayer

God who calls,

Many of us are so averse to change that we would rather endure painful, but familiar, circumstances than have to face an unknown, but open, future. It’s the unknown that seems like such a threat. Lead us to transform our fear of change into hope-filled expectation. Inspire us with the promise of the unknown, that we may answer your calling with joy. Be patient with us as we work through our fears, and may we support one another along the way. Amen.

Prayer

Giver of all that is good,

You have taught us consistently that by serving those who are poor and vulnerable we are in fact serving you. Over and over your Scriptures remind us that you are closest to those who need help. Empower us each day to renew our commitment of service, that we may find you again in the eyes of the wounded, the weak, and the wanting. Help us love one another as you have loved us and to always be grateful that we have a part to play in what you are doing to heal and restore those in need. Amen.

Prayer

God in all,

Kwanzaa presents us with a special opportunity to honor African-American culture and history and to celebrate the values that bind communities together. We always have cause to give thanks for the riches of our diversity, but at this time of the year especially, make us all the more eager to respect and learn from each other in a spirit of humility. In that spirit we pray, for healing and remembrance, for connection and growth, and for a hope to inspire us all. Amen.