Dear Lord, hear our prayer:

Almighty God, Sovereign Lord, You are holy and just and worthy of all our praise and thanks. This is the first Sunday of a new year and a chance for new beginnings and new commitments. Lord, though You never change, we need to change to become more like Christ Jesus, Your Son and the Word You have given us to guide us. Help us to keep our hearts softened so that Your Holy Spirit can mold and shape us into the vessels that You desire to use. Help us to keep surrendered to Your perfect will and plan, knowing that You are in total control and thus, all things that come our way, are allowed by You so that You can receive glory from the victories You lead us into. In this new year, dear Father, help us reflect the light of Your Son, our Redeemer, so that others may be drawn to that light. Your Word tells us that if we lift Jesus up, if He is the one exalted, that others will be drawn to Him. Help us to walk in that distinction, to draw others to Christ Jesus and thus to You. For these things we give You the praise and adoration You so richly deserve in Jesus’ name!

Amen and AMEN.

Prayer by Roland J. Ledoux, For the Love of God