New

The turn of the calendar is typically exciting, full of anticipation, and scary all at the same time. We tend to look forward to new resolutions, new moments, new memories, and just new in general. But with the new comes the need to also reflect on the old. We look back at the previous 12 months and are reminded of the "new" that we did not fulfill; we recall the memories of things lost, and we focus on what could have been. 

Allow the beginning of this New Year to provide the consistency that the old year ended with for you and your family. Be thankful that the first day of 2023 will end similarly to the last day of 2022. Be appreciative of God's blessings on the first day of 2023 as He provided on the last day of 2022. Begin your year not in a new devotional but rather begin in prayer. Start the first day of 2023 with anticipation of what God will provide. Seek His blessings and provisions in prayer and awareness that God will be the same in 2023 as He was in 2022. Take the time to pray for yourself, your family, and your church family. 

A Prayer for Hope This New Year 

Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19 (HCSB)

Dear Heavenly Father, As the new year begins, I look to You for my hope, strength, and understanding. Provide for me the strength to do everything that You require of me. Mold and shape me to not do what is not from You and of You. Allow me to walk in grace and embrace Your love for me even more. In Jesus' Name, Amen

A Prayer for Salvation

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (HCSB)

Lord Jesus, I desire to know you more. Thank you for giving your life on the cross for my sins and the world's sins. I give my life and receive you, Savior of my life. Thank you for forgiving me of all of my sins. Thank you for providing me with eternal life. Lord, take control of my life and make me the kind of person you want me to be. Amen.

A Prayer for Our Gatherings

And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 (HCSB)

Lord Jesus, I pray for your Spirit to lead me each step of this upcoming New Year. I ask that you guide the decisions of our church and turn our hearts to deeply desire you above all else. I ask that You both open doors to new ministries and close doors to old ministries that our church can offer. I ask that You would help us release traditions on the things to which you've said "no," "not yet," or "wait." I ask for help to pursue You first, above every vision and desire you've put within our hearts. Amen

Prayer for Strength and Power in the Year Ahead

Besides this, knowing the time, it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is nearly over, and the daylight is near, so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk with decency, as in the daylight: not in carousing and drunkenness; not in sexual impurity and promiscuity; not in quarreling and jealousy. Romans 13:11-13 (HCSB)

Lord, moving in a new direction, opposite my comfort, is hard. I need Your strength, Your wisdom, Your confidence. I believe You will empower me as I step out in faith. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Prayer for Your Growth In The Faith

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 2 Peter 1:5-7 (HCSB)

Lord Jesus, I thank You that You are with me, that You are in me. Resolutions might come in one year and go out the other. Open my ears this year so I can hear You and enjoy You at every junction when You tell me to turn right or left. Amen.

Friends, I say it often, yet not often enough. I'm thankful for the trust that you place in me. God has continued to sustain His family of faith at 2181 Union Avenue, and I expect that in 2023 God will do the same. So let's focus on seeking Him as we are on a quest seeking the one true King.