PRAY FOR THE FUTURE
Psalm 20 May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
Proverbs 16
1 To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.
2 All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.
3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
Jeremiah 29:11
11 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.
Draw round your hand on paper and cut out. Pray about this coming year: perhaps you could use each finger as a focus for a separate area for prayer: our world, our community, our church, our families, ourselves.
PRAY FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
Galatians 6:9-10 (New International Version)
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Ephesians 2:18-20 (New International Version)
For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
Wherever we come from and however we are, we are all joined together: write each name of those God has put on your heart on a strip of paper, then link them together into a paper chain.
THANK GOD FOR HIS BLESSINGS IN THE PAST AND PRAY FOR THE FUTURE.
1 Chronicles 4:10 (New International Version)
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.
Looking back, think about how God has blessed you, thanking him as you do so. Then ask God to continue to bless you. Be specific: ask Him…
to bless you materially, providing for your needs;
to bless you physically, for good health; fitness; healing from ailments or other troubles;
to bless you emotionally, giving you joy this year even if/when sadness comes;
to bless you spiritually, drawing you close to him and revealing more of himself through his holy spirit.
Try any combination of these suggestions: draw, doodle, write or create a small collage as you pray, to take away as a reminder.
PRAY FOR FORGIVENESS
Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
As we look to the future, let us also look back, reflecting on God’s goodness to us. Think also about things we have done wrong, or good things we have not done , and ask for his forgiveness. Imagine you are kneeling in front of God’s throne. Blow bubbles to represent your sins and let them drift towards the throne. Imagine that as the bubbles approach, Jesus leaps up from beside God and gleefully bursts the bubbles: YOUR SINS HAVE VANISHED!
