The New Year often can bring a mix of emotions and memories to many of us. Some may have experienced the greatest year of all time and are looking forward to an even bigger one. Others may have walked through one deep struggle after another.. The new year brings a desperate hope that things will get better, with a pain from wounds still fresh to slowly begin their healing process.
Whether you’ve walked through the best year of your life, or you’re incredibly glad to see it’s finally over, one truth still rings clear amid all of this. It is that you are not alone. Never again.
Our God is a God “with us”. After the celebration of the birth of our King, that reminder has the power to lead us to a fresh new beginning. God with us. And even though the things and people around us change, our God never changes. Below is a list of blessing prayers to start the year, under the cover of our Heavenly Father.
Prayer to keep God first this new year
Dear God, Thank you for making all things new. Thank you for all that you have allowed into our lives this past year, the good along with the difficult things, which have reminded us how much we need you and trust in your presence filling us each day.
We ask that your Spirit guide us in every step of this new year. We ask that you guide our decisions and turn our hearts to deeply desire you above all else. We ask you to open the doors that need to be opened and close the ones that need to be shut tight. We ask you to help us free ourselves from the things to which you have said “no”, “not yet”, or “wait”. We ask for help to pursue you first, above all dreams and wishes that you have placed in our hearts.
We ask for your wisdom, that your strength and power be constantly present in us. We ask you to make us strong and courageous for the path ahead. Give us ability beyond what we feel capable of, let your gifts flow freely through us, so that you are honored by our lives, and others are drawn to you.
We pray that you keep us far from the traps and traps of temptations. That you would whisper in our ears when we need to run, and in our hearts when we need to hold our ground.
We pray for your protection over our families and friends. We ask you to cover us with your hand and keep us away from the bad intentions of the enemy; may you be a barrier to surround us, may we be safe in your hands. We pray that you will give us discernment and insight beyond our years, to understand your will, hear your voice, and know your ways.
We ask you to keep our steps firm, on solid ground, helping us to be consistent and faithful. Give us supernatural stamina so we stay the course, don’t veer to the right or left, or get too easily distracted by other things that would try to lead us away from a close walk with you.
Forgive us for the times we have worked so hard to be self-sufficient, forgetting our need for you, living independently of your spirit. Forgive us for letting fear and worry control our minds, and for allowing pride and selfishness to wreak havoc in our lives. Forgive us for not following your ways and for living far from your presence.
We confess our need for you….fresh…new…again. We ask you to make all things new, in our hearts, in our minds, in our lives, for this coming year. We pray that it cools down on us.
Keep your words of truth planted within us, help us to stay focused on what is pure and right, empower us to be obedient to your word. And when the enemy reminds us where we’ve been, hissing his lies and attacking in our wake, we trust his voice to speak louder and louder, just as you remind us that we are safe with you and that your purposes and plans are not. they will fail. We ask you to be our defense and rear guard, keeping the way clear, removing obstacles and covering traps. Lord, bring us to your level.
We ask you to provide for our needs, we ask your grace and favor. We pray that your blessings cover us, we pray that you help us prosper and that every plan you have birthed in our hearts will succeed. We pray that others will realize your goodness and can’t help but say, “These are the ones the Lord has blessed.”
Help us to be known as great givers, help us to be generous and kind, help us to look at the needs of others and not be consumed only by our own.
May we be lovers of the truth, may the fruits of your spirit be evident in our lives your love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, meekness and self-control.
Shine your light in us, through us, on us. May we make a difference in this world, for your glory and purposes. He put you long before us. May all your plans succeed. We can reflect your peace and hope to a world that so desperately needs your presence and healing.
To you be glory and honor, in this New Year, and forever and ever. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Prayer to start the year, under the protection of God
Lord, You make all things new, You bring living hope to our hearts and make our Spirits born again. Thank you for this new year. God our lord, protect me in this new year from all evil. Despite all the potential it has. Come and light a powerful flame in us so that in our time, many will see the wonders of God and live forever to praise your glorious name. Amen
Blessing prayer for the new year
Almighty Father, I kindly thank you for a new year. I ask you, Lord, that bless my family, as we begin this blessed year with a renewed hope in You. Lord, I thank you so much for all you have done for my family and me. Your hand in our lives is much more than we could ask for. The blessings from him are greatly appreciated. In the past year, you have seen my challenges, been saddened by my weaknesses, and rejoiced by my successes.
As we begin this New Year, let me look back on last year. In doing so, I truly regret everything that has prevented me from staying in You. Forgive me for the promises and resolutions I made and never kept. Forgive me, for the times when I neglected prayer and Your word as my focus. Let me remember the things that kept me from getting closer to You and keeping Your word.
That I can come to realize my mistakes and defects and make amends. Help me, Lord, to be willing to forgive myself and forgive others.
Lord, remind me of my truest values and my deepest desires. Help me live in the goodness that comes from doing what You want me to do. Help me to let go of anxiety about the future and regret of the past, so that I can live in peace with you now, one day at a time.
Matthew 28:20 “And teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And I am with you always, until the end of the world».
Lord, help me to abide by Your words and to focus on You. May I be obedient to your ways and your will in my life. For this I know that you will be with me in all my joys and pains, until the end of time.
Philippians 2:1-3 “So if there is encouragement in Christ, comfort of love, participation in the Spirit, affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full agreement and in one only. Do not do anything out of ambition or selfish conceit, but humbly consider others more significant than yourselves.
May my attention be focused on love, peace and unity within my family and friends, and may I also foster this peace and unity with my fellow Christians. May Your Holy Spirit guide me as I read Your Word and practice its principles in my daily life.
As we might be different from one another, may we always learn to look at our own failings and the depth of our faith before rebuking another of their faith in You. May we be slow to anger and condemnation, but quick to respond with love, peace and forgiveness. May unity be our motto and mutual love be our greatest wish in this new year.
Romans 12:3 For by the grace that has been given to me, I say to everyone who is among you, do not think of yourself more than you should think, but think soberly, as God has given to each one a measure of faith.
Lord, I pray that you will never be too proud to feel that I am closer to You than anyone else. Help me understand that You truly look at my heart. You know exactly what I am thinking and doing and I will be judged according to my faith.
Help me to always remember that You are closer to those who need You than to those who are proud and conceited of Your heritage. In this new year, may everything we do bring you great glory. As we diminish in fame and vain glory, may You increase in all Praise, Honor and Glory.
John 3:30 Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.
May my efforts be to sincerely bring many to know you and believe in the Lord Jesus, the way, the truth and the life. May the lost be found, those living in darkness come to light through my intercession, outreach, guidance, and prayers. I pray that this New Year will be blessed with Your presence in everything I do as I pray and ask in Jesus blessed name, Amen!
Prayer to receive the new year
Our Father and our God, at the beginning of this new year we confess our need for Your presence and Your guidance for the future. We each have our hopes and expectations for the year ahead, but only You know what lies ahead, and only You can give us the strength and wisdom we will need to meet its challenges.
So help us to humbly place our hands and trust in You and seek Your will for our lives during this coming year. Amid the uncertainties of life in the days to come, assure us of the certainty of your unchanging love. In the midst of life’s inevitable disappointments and heartaches, help us to turn to You for the stability and comfort we will need.
In the midst of life’s temptations and the push of our stubborn self-will, help us not to lose our way and to have the courage to do what is right in your eyes, regardless of cost. And in the midst of our daily worries and searches, let us open our eyes to the sorrows and injustices of our wounded world, and help us to respond with compassion and sacrifice to those who are friendless and in need. That…