As we enter a new year, let us pray.
Eternal Father, Holy God, in the mighty name of Jesus, we come to you as boldly as we know how. Lord, we thank you for Your grace and Your mercy, which has brought us to a new year. Lord, we thank you for allowing us to see another year, another day, another moment.
Father, as we move into 2015, we seek Your forgiveness. Lord, there was something that we said or something that we did that was not in accordance with your will or aligned with your Word. Heavenly Father, we thank you for yet another clean slate. We thank you, Lord, for the power of forgiveness! And Lord, as you have forgiven us, give us the power and the humility to forgive others. Dear Lord, even though some have wronged us tremendously, give us the mind of Christ so that we can forgive, and not seek vengeance. In Your word, You say "Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord." Lord, give us the power to remember that, and to turn to you and away from anger and wrath.
Lord, some of us lost loved ones this year. And Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank you for the lives of these loved ones, and we thank you for the impact that they have made in our lives. Lord, even as we mourn, we do not mourn as if there is no hope. Lord, we have hope in You, and we ask that you continue to strengthen us. Continue to give us the power to declare the victory, even in the midst of a terrible loss. Lord, Your Word says "Weeping endures for a night, but joy comes in the morning." Lord, for those of us that are struggling with finding the joy, be that beacon. Be that light. Let Your Holy Spirit guide us into YOUR joy, a joy that man cannot give, nor can man take away. Lord, continue to wipe away the tears that we shed. Continue to send your Comforter to be with us. Even when we don't have the words to say, we thank you for knowing what's in our hearts as we honor our lost loved ones.
Precious Father, in the name of Jesus, we lift up our financial situations to you. Some of us have prospered mightily, and we thank you for that! We thank you for promotions, for raises, for increases in territories and responsibilities. We thank you for new opportunities that await! And Lord, some of us are still being challenged. Heavenly Father, we declare a supernatural breakthrough right now! Lord, we thank you for upcoming offers and interviews. We thank you for doors that are opening even now, doors that we didn't even know existed. We thank you even now for allowing us to walk boldly into these new opportunities to take dominion over them.
Dear Lord, we lift up those who are ill, and we pray a special prayer for healing. Lord, Your Word says that by Your stripes, we are healed. Dear Lord, we know that there IS a balm in Gilead, and that balm is You! And Lord, we seek healing in all areas, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Lord, we thank you for deliverance from illnesses of all kinds. Heavenly Father, we thank you for the doctors, nurses, and medical staff, therapists, counselors, and other professionals that use talents and gifts that you have given them. We thank your their dedication to their craft, and we thank you for the care that they exhibit in working with their patients.
Eternal Father, we lift up healthy relationships, and healthy friendships. Lord, let us come together and fellowship and build each other up, and not tear each other down. Lord, let us continue to be a friend to one another, as you are a friend to us! Lord, we rebuke in love anything that looks to cause discord and dissension. We cancel out, in Jesus' name, the assignments of the gossipers and the backbiters, and those that have hatred in their hearts. Lord, we ask that you touch those people, and remove those sentiments from them. And Lord, we ask for continued guidance as we examine ourselves, and our associates. Let us surround ourselves with people moving forward in a positive manner. Let us be encamped with people striving for peace, seeking joy, and operating in love. Lord, we ask for continued strength in areas where relationships and friendships have fallen to the wayside. Lord, in the name of Jesus, remove any feelings of holding grudges, or bitterness, or anger, sadness or depression.
Lord, we pray for our elected officials, even if we did not vote for them. Lord, give them the guidance to govern justly and fairly. Give them the mind to seek to help even the least of them, and not just cater to the most fortunate. Give them the compassion to enact legislation that protects the vulnerable from the clutches of the predators. Lord, continue to strengthen and empower those who are looking to govern according to Your word, especially in regards to helping the poor. We ask that you remove the obstacles and hindrances that keep them from being able to continue to stand up for the poor, the sick, the disenfranchised, the most vulnerable.
Lord. we pray for peace. Peace in our households, peace in our neighborhoods, peace in our cities, states, countries, and our world. And let us pray for a peace that comes from YOU, and not from brokered deals or handshake agreements or treaties. Let us receive a peace that surpasses ALL understanding, Lord! And Lord, let us pray for peace within ourselves. Lord, remove any inner turmoil. We cancel out the assignment of the enemy, who came to kill, to steal, and to destroy. We cancel out that assignment and we release YOUR love and YOUR peace, in the name of Jesus!
Dear Lord, we receive the blessings that are in store for us. We receive the peace, the healing, the forgiveness. We receive the joy that You have for us. In the name of Jesus, we open our minds and hearts to be receptive of your continued grace and mercy, so that we can be living examples and testimonies of ALL that you have done for us.
In Jesus' matchless and mighty name,
Amen.
