Praying at the New Year

Creator of this new year, and every year,
thank you for the changeable gift of time.
Some years slip through our fingers like too many beads to hold,
beautiful memories bouncing every which way.
Other years are like burrs in our hair, unwanted, uncomfortable,
and really hard to shake off.
We stand at this threshold of the old and the new,
hoping for a good year.
We all want health and peace in our time,
we want safety for loved ones,
food on the table every day and clean fresh water.
For gifts we have received this past year,
we give you thanks and praise.
Thank you in advance for the gifts you will give us
that we don’t really want.
For the ability to survive violence,
for the perseverance to endure sickness,
for the strength to not return evil when evil is done to us.
Thank you that you will bring beauty to us
even when we don’t look,
you will provide good paths to take
that we will likely disregard.
Thank you that in spite of our failings,
you never fail us.
We long to follow in the footsteps of Jesus this year,
and we trust that you will be our coach,
whispering encouragement, nudging us when we need nudging.
Help us to be the generous, gracious people you created us to be,
living in communities that are welcoming
and brimming with good news for all.
Finally, we pray for this good earth.
As it takes another trip around the sun,
in your mercy protect it from our excesses,
and teach us how to live gently, walk humbly
and love the earth deeply every day of the year ahead.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

New Book Coming Soon!

Carol Penner has written a devotional book for Lent that explores the challenges of repentance and forgiveness. Forty reflections and prayers to deepen your walk with God as you prepare for Easter.  

You can order it here!

About Carol Penner

I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.

I love to write and to lead worship! If you are finding my writing helpful, I would love to hear from you! Feel free to use or adapt the material here, it is all written by me. If printing material, please credit “Copyright Carol Penner www.leadinginworship.com” (and say whether you modified it). If publishing, please contact me for permission. Contact me at carol@leadinginworship.com

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    Are you looking for resources for a Christian service? Feel free to use or adapt my prayers, poems and litanies. They are written in a Mennonite voice, for ears of all kinds. 

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