Lord, God most High, we praise your name. History belongs to you, all that was and has ever been recorded. The future is your canvas. While we can only guess how it will look, you, Father, will determine the end result. Regardless, we know you judge the world with righteousness and judge your people with equity.
You bless us with many gifts, Lord: physical wealth and health, intelligence and talent, friends and family.
We don’t always recognize what you’ve given us. And, like so many other people on this earth, we cast our nets daily. Yet, often what we are casting our nets for are things that are pleasing to us, personally: fame, fortune, comfort, solitude…freedom from want and fear, freedom from the needs of the world.
As we move with trepidation and with hope for the new year, we contemplate the past while wrestling with thoughts of the future. We ask your presence as we reflect on our gifts and our responsibilities. Give us the wisdom and discernment regarding what to cast off and what to strengthen…what to walk away from and what we have that we can use for you.
We belong in your service. We belong in the service of the King.
Help us…give us the desire…to leave the comforts of our lives and follow you, to unstick ourselves and follow you…with abandon.
In the silence, Father, hear our voices raised in praise for your great gifts. Also hear our pleas for mercy, healing, and sustenance…for ourselves and those around us. Let our thoughts be pleasing to you.
Bless our enemies, Father. Often our impulse is to heap coals upon them. Help us, instead, to follow your example and bless them, too.
As we focus on your call to share the Good News with all people, we ask your blessings on Nathan, Erin, and Elsa McDade as they serve your Kingdom as Campus Ministers in Puebla, Mexico with GlobalScope. Bless their efforts with the college students in that community and guide them as they prepare and plan for our youth to join them this summer for a short term mission.
And now, Father, we pray together as Jesus, Savior of the Ages, taught us to pray:
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