Prayers of the People/Intercession on The New Year
Most Holy God–Father, Son and Holy Spirit: We celebrate Your presence and rejoice in Your light that shines in our lives and our world. Thank You for Your sustaining presence in the past year…that we’re even here is a work of Your grace. Thank You for strength when we were weak. Thank You for peace amidst our turmoil. Thank You for comfort in our anxious moments. Thank You for wisdom when we’ve been confused, and for guidance when we were lost.
As an old year passes and a new one comes, full of promise, hope and potential, we pray that your Holy Light will shine on all nations, all people and all of creation, leading us in love, peace and joy. We ask You to bless all who look to the future not with peace but with anxiety. We pray for those ill and fearful of what the next year may bring. We pray for those with family difficulties who wonder how to solve them. We pray for those financially stressed and those afraid for their job as the new year begins. Lord, for all of the future is unknown—please help us to have faith to trust You, wisdom to know the right thing, and the courage to do it.
We pray for all affected by conflict and war, the displaced, the victimized, those grieving the death of loved ones, those living in refugee camps or exiled to foreign lands, those who have no home to call their own, immigrants, the homeless poor, those who’ve suffered a natural disaster. May your presence and your peace surround all who are in need.
We pray that Your grace and wisdom direct all the world’s decision makers; may hearts be softened to Your ways of peace and justice, may negotiations be fair and may dignity be restored to all people. May peace and justice prevail. We pray for those who suffer loneliness, those who ache with pain or hunger, those who tremble in fear or anxiety, those who feel empty and unfulfilled, and those who feel unloved and unwanted.
We pray for the ill, the injured, those anticipating surgery or recovering: please heal, restore, comfort, and encourage each one; and we especially pray for … and we ask special blessings on their caregivers. God, Spirit, our Comforter—we pray for all who mourn, whether the grief is fresh or lingering. Console them with Your presence and give them resurrection hope. We pray especially for ….
May all who mourn feel your light upon them this day and always. Heavenly Father we bring to You our loved ones, and in the silence we pray for them. For our family…for our friends…for all whom we know. May this year be good for all whom we love, Lord God. We pray that You guide us in the coming year; that Your voice will encourage us to live Your kingdom way, and that your Spirit will enliven us as we grow, learn and work together. May others see Your love shine through us.
May our words and actions constantly point to You. May Your living word call to us and may we, in faith, answer. May we put You first in everything and serve You always; so that whatever the year holds, we never lose sight of you. This is our prayer, offered in the name of the Son who came to us all those years ago and who lives among us today in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Father God–You are a God of grace and abundance, who blesses us with more than a shower of blessings but a downpour of mercies. We rejoice with friends in new marriages, and in the strength of lasting marriages.
For new beginnings, for healings and successful surgeries, for employment, for family and loved ones, and for Your Son our Savior who gives us eternal life and gives it in abundance …we say with joy–“Thank you, Lord … you are so good!”
So knowing your grace in the past we feel welcomed to pray for what lies ahead—Lord—please heal those we love: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually; we pray for successful surgeries, profitable therapy, full recovery … whatever’s needed.
Lord—please comfort those who mourn, whether their grief is new or long-lasting. Give them the hope of the resurrection, peace that restores, and the faith to walk with you in the valley of the shadow. Lord—please guide us as a nation.
Keep us from demonizing those with whom we disagree or from worshipping those we support. You alone are the savior of nations—enable us to trust You above all else. Guide us as we seek to discern what would be the best good for all …not just our own self-interests; and, for the days ahead, give us the kind of leaders we need, if not those we deserve.
Lord—please direct and empower Your church, this church. Make us an agent of positive change in the community. Give us love, your love, unconditional love, active and real love for all kinds of people who need You–no matter their race, ethnicity, level of education, age, gender, economic bracket, party affiliation, or what they wear or how they speak. It’s how we love that show we’re Yours—help us love better.
And, Lord—please touch our hearts today. Speak into us, your Words of life, of comfort, conviction or hope. What is not of You—may we forget when we walk out of this room; and what is of You, may we never forget wherever we go. This is our desire … this is our prayer, offered in the name above every name—Jesus. AMEN
Most Holy God–Father, Son and Holy Spirit: We celebrate Your presence and rejoice in Your light that shines in our lives and our world. Thank You for Your sustaining presence in the past year…that we’re even here is a work of Your grace. Thank You for strength when we were weak. Thank You for peace amidst our turmoil.
Thank You for comfort in our anxious moments. Thank You for wisdom when we’ve been confused, and for guidance when we wer’e lost. As an old year passes and a new one comes, full of promise, hope and potential, we pray that your Holy Light will shine on all nations, all people and all of creation, leading us in love, peace and joy.
We ask You to bless all who look to the future not with peace but with anxiety. We pray for those ill and fearful of what the next year may bring. We Pray for those with family difficulties who wonder how to solve them. We pray for those financially stressed and those afraid for their job as the new year begins. Lord, for all of the future is unknown—please help us to have faith to trust You, wisdom to know the right thing, and the courage to do it.
We pray for all affected by conflict and war, the displaced, the victimized, those grieving the death of loved ones, those living in refugee camps or exiled to foreign lands, those who have no home to call their own, immigrants, the homeless poor, those who’ve suffered a natural disaster. May your presence and your peace surround all who are in need.
We pray thatYour grace and wisdom direct all the world’s decision makers; may hearts be softened to Your ways of peace and justice, may negotiations be fair and may dignity be restored to all people. May peace and justice prevail.
We pray for those who suffer loneliness, those who ache with pain or hunger, those who tremble in fear or anxiety, those who feel empty and unfulfilled, and those who feel unloved and unwanted.
We pray for the ill, the injured, those anticipating surgery or recovering: please heal, restore, comfort, and encourage each one; and we especially pray for … and we ask special blessings on their caregivers. God, Spirit, our Comforter—we pray for all who mourn, whether the grief is fresh or lingering. Console them with Your presence and give them resurrection hope. We pray especially for …
May all who mourn feel your light upon them this day and always. Heavenly Father we bring to You our loved ones, and in the silence we pray for them. For our family…for our friends…for all whom we know. May this year be good for all whom we love, Lord God. We pray that You guide us in the coming year; that Your voice will encourage us to live Your kingdom way, and that your Spirit will enliven us as we grow, learn and work together. May others see Your love shine through us. May our words and actions constantly point to You.
May Your living word call to us and may we, in faith, answer. May we put You first in everything and serve You always; so that whatever the year holds, we never lose sight of you. This is our prayer, offered in the name of the Son who came to us all those years ago and who lives among us today in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Faithful God, our Father, Lord and Counselor: By your grace you know our names before we are even born. By your grace you call us your own sons and daughters. By your grace you give us an eternal purpose. And, by your grace give us everything necessary to fulfill that calling: Your very own self before us, beside us, inside us, with us.
You invite us to open our hearts to your love and power; and so we do. We pray for a world gone mad–no longer safe (if it ever was), and increasingly filled with war, disease, terror, ambition, prejudice, greed, and distrust. Please, Lord …Bring peace between people and nations. Give leaders wisdom, courage and grace.
Open doors of reconciliation and healing between peoples. Protect those who serve in dangerous places to protect our freedom; and comfort families of those who’ve met harm in so doing. We pray for your church, called to graciously offer your truth in confusing times, your light in dark days, and a welcoming place of refuge amidst the chaos.
Enable us, along with those who serve you as missionaries, to remain loyal, bold, gracious and loving. Make us one in purpose, in faith, and in commitment to you. For this congregation: we thank you for a year gone-by, full of your grace and faithfulness; and we ask your blessing on the year ahead: that men, women, girls and boys may come to know you intimately, as Lord, Savior, Father and Friend. We also interceded for those sick physically or emotionally. Heal them by your power, love and grace;and make them whole again.Give your comfort and peace to those separated from loved ones by death. Now, we pray for our preacher this morning: Give him/her strength, vitality, and your clear Word for us; and enable us to hear, believe and receive your Truth. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God of Love and Mercy—Father, Son and Holy Spirit: As those beloved by You…You give us the privilege of loving others and praying for them … as we do today.
We pray on behalf of those for whom this year has been a hard year, who look back and see overwhelming loss, struggle, pain, discouragement, isolation or worries. Lord—redeem those trials, give them strength and courage to keep on going, and give them hope for the days ahead.
And for those who look back on the past year with joy in the birth of children and grandchildren, for marriages begun and deepened, for new jobs started and opportunities embraced, for relationships discovered or restored, for good health, sufficient means, and for a place to call “home” …We join with them to give You thanks and honor, Lord.
Today we pray for the ill or injured, for those anticipating or recuperating from surgery—Please heal them, Lord. For those who’ve lost loved ones, colleagues or friends—please comfort them, Lord.
For our nation’s leaders—guide them, give them wisdom beyond their own, to resolve differences and to reach just decisions; and, Lord, fill them with the courage necessary to lead us in the right but difficult paths where people matter more than political gain. In the coming year, Lord, enable us as a nation to be a better people, a wiser people, and a more godly people; with the needed moral character, will and wisdom.
For nations at war–bring peace. For our brothers and sisters whose faithfulness puts them in mortal danger—protect and sustain them. For missionaries who serve You in hard places—encourage and strengthen them. For Your church in all places—keep us true to Your Word and loving in our actions.
For this church—meet our needs and so enable us to faithfully live out the calling You’ve given us to be a light in this community, to be a safe and healing place for those that the world has wounded in spirit and soul. This we pray, in the name of Jesus, the Christ. AMEN