Let us go forward with and for the Lord
Once again, we are at the end of this old year and at the threshold of another new year.
Thank You, Lord, for 2016 and thank You, too, for 2017 and more new years from You.
What a year 2016 was, Lord, personally and collectively, for our country and the rest of the world. We certainly, eagerly look forward to a new year, with complete faith, trusting You always, keeping always in our hearts Your words in Jeremiah 29:11: “1 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Despite the downs, the challenges, and failures in 2016, we still continue to thank You very sincerely for the downs that allowed us to appreciate the ups You provided. The challenges made us stronger, and the failures allowed us to proceed to do better and made the successes so much sweeter.
Year 2016 continued to be a troubled, turbulent year for all, dear Lord. Wars and conflicts have not ceased. It is noted that only 10 places in the world are at peace. Even without our own land, there is so much conflict, so much division, even hate, Lord. Despite the fear in our hearts, we move on, in complete faith, with You as our guide, Lord. We know all things happen for a purpose.
We keep in our hearts, most especially on the eve of 2017, these words in Romans 8: “Consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.”
We also know that “that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”
We do not know what awaits us in the new year, Lord. But we believe that You are always with us, we believe like Paul that “in all these things, we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
And so we offer and lift to You, dear God, all our fears, our concerns, and our needs for 2017 just as we did in the years past. And we continue to thank You always, Lord, for Your continuing love and care each day, for life, for Your providence, Your protection, Your peace and Your forgiveness for us all.
We have more mountains to climb as persons, as nations, as a whole world. But nothing is difficult or impossible with You as our guide. We do not know how to proceed from today to tomorrow, Lord. But we know, that like our yesterdays, You are always in our present and in our tomorrows. And so, take our hands and lead us together with You for yet another year and more new years to come, Lord.
We thank You and give You glory, Lord, for we know that as we lift to you the pains, the grief, the cries of others all around, You have always stayed with them and never left their side.
We lift to you our pleas for peace and calm among our people and leaders, Lord. Please have the Holy Spirit come down and guide and humble the powerful to obey Your will, not theirs, Lord.
We pray that all may see the beauty of Your daily gifts for them, all throughout Your creation. Most especially, on this eve of another new year, our dear God, thank You deeply for Your unconditional and continuing love which You want us to recognize each day. That is all You want us to do: to recognize Your love each day and to be assured that, as written in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
And with You always with us, allow us to take Your hand as we proceed to move forward with Your words leading us: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Happy, happy God-blessed 2017 to you all! For this new year, let us walk together, despite our differences, united in hope and love, and with God!
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