Prayers for 2017

“In the beginning…” is the great way the first book of the Bible, Genesis, begins.

We stand at the beginning- the beginning of a new year. This New Year will bring times of joy and celebration and times of sadness and mourning. This New Year will bring times of gain and times of loss. For some, this year will be easy financially; for others, this year will be tough financially.

Some will face tough medical issues this year; others will experience one of their healthiest years ever. For some, changes will be few; for others, changes will be numerous, whether expected or not. This, my friend, is the truth of it all—it will all happen whether we expect it or not.

One of the favorite sayings of one of my favorite Old Testament professors was, “We just don’t know.” There are a lot of things that we don’t understand about the Old Testament or the New Testament. Experiences of all kinds will come our way this year. Whether they are good or bad, we just don’t know.

Living with the unknown can be scary, especially if the Lord is not in control of your life. Let’s be honest. Even with the Lord in our lives, it can still be scary. However, I can’t imagine going through the unknown without God in control, because it would be far worse.

Living through the unknown is possible with the Lord in control. It may not be easy, but it will be possible. Therefore, my prayer to God today is to be with us during the year ahead—a year full of unknowns.

I pray for the people who are hungry, that they will have food this year.

I pray for the people who are homeless, that they will have shelter this year.

I pray for the people who are sick, that they will have healing this year.

I pray for the people who are jobless, that they will find meaningful and fulfilling employment this year.

I pray for the people who are struggling with co-workers, neighbors, friends and family members, that they will find peace with one another this year.

I pray for the people who have lost all hope, that they will see the light at the end of the tunnel, and hope, unlike any other time in their life, this year.

I pray for the aspiring writers who hope to be published this year.

I pray for the aspiring singers who hope to be recognized this year.

I pray for the church members who desire more time, energy and resources to do the Lord’s will this year.

I pray for the preachers who desire to be better motivators and speakers.

I pray for all of us who pray to be better witnesses in all we say and do for the Lord and others.

I pray that God’s Holy Spirit would watch over us all, guide us all, and enable us all, to be all that we can be in making this life and the lives of all, better in 2017.

Thank you God for new beginnings and let it begin with me.