Prayers for the New Year
As we begin 2023, our hearts and our bodies feel heavy and tired. A pandemic. War. Deep cultural and political divides. Economic hardships. All of these have worn us down. And yet, many of us carry a great deal of hope for change ahead after a hard few years.
Let us begin 2023 with prayer that we would be open to whatever the Lord leads and trust in him for all things. Below, you will find several prayers we found helpful to pray through as we approach this new year and seek to be those who follow in the way of Jesus.
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.”
“ O Lord, give us wise, self-controlled, patient, understanding, devout, faithful, and courageous hearts. Fill our souls with devotion to your service, and strength against all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord”
“ Dearest Lord God, help us to fear and love you with all our heart, to glorify you and call on you with all our heart, to receive and follow your Word with all our heart, to always seek the good of our neighbors, to hold on to the true faith and keep a clear conscience; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.”
