Lord God,

We thank You for the cross; for saving us from our wretched lives.

We pray for strength and wisdom to defy the forces

of darkness around us, and to be Your light in the world.

We praise You that You chose us –

not because we are great - but because YOU are.

May our actions, small or large,

advance Your kingdom through the power You provide.

Through Your Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus,

who lives within us.

Amen. 

Almighty God,

We pray that You grant us Your gift of loyalty.

For our homes, give us love and obedience;

for our country, sacrifice and service;

for our neighbor, kindness and generosity.

And in everything, make us true to You.

Through Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Heavenly Father,

You created each one of us and gave us a purpose.

Some people spend all their time searching for the meaning of life.

But we know that our purpose is to love, serve and worship You.

There is no one who is insignificant to You

and no one who is more worthy than another.

Everyone You created is valuable to You.

We pray that You increase our faith and keep us from stumbling.

Help us to know You better so that we may live out

Your purpose for us here on earth.

All praise and honor to You and to Your Son, Jesus,

in whose name we pray.

Amen.

Almighty God,

We thank You that Jesus lived and died for the purpose of our salvation.

He showed us the importance of time spent with You –

in prayer, in worship, and in Your word.

We pray that in our time with You, You would guide us to our purpose

and how we can take part in the work of Your kingdom.

May our lives be examples of Your love

that persuade others to seek You.

In Jesus’ holy name.

Amen.

Lord God in heaven,

As we begin a new year, many of us are looking at ways

to improve ourselves. May we be transformed by Your love

and grace into who You want us to be.

2 Cor. 5:17 says, “Therefore of anyone is in Christ,

he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

You, Lord, are our strength, and Your promise is our hope.

Hope – to change for the better, and to enjoy eternity with You.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Lord God,

We are busy preparing cards and gifts and food.

Keep us grounded in what really matters.

We pray that You help us prepare our hearts.

Cleanse us of all unrighteousness.

Remove any darkness from our minds.

We bring You our sin, and You exchange it

for the gift of Your tender mercy.

We praise You and honor You and thank You

for redeeming us through Your Son,

our savior, Jesus.

Amen

Psalm 91, starting at verse 14 says:

“Because he loves me,” says the LORD,

“I will rescue him;

I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call upon me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble,

I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life will I satisfy him

and show him my salvation.”

Lord God in heaven –

Give us the faith – the confidence – to know

You are there, You are great, and You will deliver us.

The Yuletide season can bring on emotional ups and downs.

But there is One who will never let us down –

our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ

in whose name we pray. 

Amen.