Prayer for the Year

This is Dave’s prayer for those who are interested:

With hands raised

God in heaven, we worship you

You who are beyond all knowledge, all speech, all human comprehension and limitation

Yet who comes to us as a father, tender and close

We worship you with the very little we have

We whose lives are so small and short, whose actions are so flawed and feeble

Whose best and brightest moments are but scratchings in the dust compared with your glory

We worship you

You who spoke the stars into existence

You who cradle creation in the palm of your hand

Yet, o God, you come to us as Immanuel, “God with us,”

You promise to be Jehovah Jireh, “God who provides,”

You reveal yourself in and through Jesus Christ, “God who saves.”

God in heaven and on earth, we worship you.

With arms extend out to the walls, in the direction of your community, workplace, or school

God our King, we ask that you extend your kingdom on this earth

That your priorities become our priorities

That we pursue your actions with even greater energy than we do our own

That your reign and rule be established in our homes, workplaces, and communities.

May people all across this world treat one another with justice and kindness

May they treat the earth with wisdom and responsibility

May they achieve and maintain true mental health

May they acknowledge you as the giver of all good things.

Help us in the church to love those who look different to us

Those who speak differently, those who act differently, those who worship differently,

For you do not love them any differently,

And we want to participate in your love.

God our King, extend your kingdom here on earth.

With hands out, palms pointing up

God of all creation, we ask that you would give us enough for today

That we would accept whatever comes from your hand

And when we find that we have more than we need

We would joyfully share what is left with those who have less.

May we refuse to believe the lies of a consumer culture

That tells us there is fulfillment to be found in possessing more

And instead remember the truth that is found in Jesus Christ

Who did not love his own life even unto death.

May we not covet after things you have given to others

Or things you have told us we are better without

Instead Lord, let us take joy in all that is before us

All that you have given us to do and to care for

God of all creation, give us today that which we need for today

With hands crossed over your heart

God who knows us and loves us, may our hearts be submitted to you

May we not store up thoughts of resentment, revenge, and rage against others

But instead surrender those and choose to forgive

May we who are recipients of your grace

Also be channels of grace to others.

In a world that tells us we have a right to be offended

May we instead love others even as they wound us

And in so doing become more like Christ.

May we not be tempted by the many lies of today,

Those who tell us it is OK to hate, OK to put yourself first, OK to treat others as objects

And instead may we walk in the truth that is Christ,

Who loves all and died on behalf of all.

God who knows us and loves us, may our hearts be truly yours

Amen.