Praying In The New Year

Back in 1999, New Year's Eve was somewhat scary. Many people believed the world was coming to an end, or at the very least, havoc was coming when the computers tried to roll into the millennium. I remember I didn't want to be alone that year. My husband was working. I attended my church's New Year's Eve party. I felt safe there, and of course you know we all lived past midnight and nothing bad happened. However, that event started a new tradition. Now, many churches across the nation host New Year's Eve fellowships. For most, it's a nice alternative to traditional New Year's Eve parties. For the most part, it keeps the church family off the roads and most importantly, it provides an opportunity for the congregation to gather together and remember the past year and pray in the new year.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

You could choose to do anything you want this New Year's Eve, but I do want to encourage you, sometime before midnight or maybe even throughout New Year's Day, pray for the New Year. There is so much that we could pray for. Look back over 2010: The war in Iraq, Haiti, North Korea, Islamic extremists, non-Christian countries, the nation of Israel, our economy, the health care crisis, unemployment, President Obama, the families who have lost loved ones this year, our own families and ourselves. I'm sure there are many more things you could add to that list. Go ahead. 

” Pray Continually.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV)

Also, don't forget to thank God for His loving mercy and grace and bountiful provision in 2010. Our God is an awesome God and He's always with us. He provides for all our needs and we should always remember to acknowledge and glorify all that He has done for us.

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior,” 1 Timothy 2:1-3 (NIV)

I personally look forward to the new year. 2010 was year of great change in my life. Some of it was good. Some of the changes, I could have done without, but God was in all of it and I know He never left my side.

I will be spending some of New Year's Eve and New Year's Day in prayer, and hopefully, I will make prayer and reading my Bible daily a priority in 2011. I can't guarantee I will succeed, but I'm sure going to try to remember each day. I hope you will too. 

So to all our readers out there, I wish you a happy New Year. May we all be a people and a City On Our Knees praying in the New Year.  We've got to start somewhere why not here. We've got to start sometime, why not now. Tonight's the night. Take God by the hand and walk with Him into 2011.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart  and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

City On Our Knees by: tobyMac

 

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