A New Year Prayer

A New Years Prayer
By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org

Almighty and merciful God we come to you this first day of the New Year in thanksgiving for the gifts you have bestowed upon us and with petitions for the coming year.
We pray, O God, that you will inspire world leaders to end the wars, violence, and genocide that have overtaken so much of this world.

We pray that those whom you have blessed with abundance will have compassion and generosity for those who are suffering from poverty, homelessness, and inadequate affordable health care.

We pray that people will stop judging others by the color of their skin, their sexual orientation, marital status or nationality and recognize that we are all brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ and children of God.

We pray that all leaders of all Christian denominations will evaluate the differences that have separated your One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church established by the chosen apostles of your beloved son and return to the fundamental truths taught by Christ.
We pray that all the children of Abraham will unite together in peace and stop the bloodshed that envelops the Middle East.

We pray for the newly elected president of the United States and his chosen cabinet will be able to turn the economy around while seeing to the needs of the poor, elderly, sick, homeless and unemployed and insure equality and justice for all the citizens of this country.

We pray that science will find cures for all cancers, ALS, Macro degeneration, Alzheimer’s, and the other diseases that deprive so many of the simple joys of life.

We pray that we will be able to be faithful to you in our service to those you bring to us and fill them with the knowledge of your infinite mercy and love and give them the hope of Everlasting life through trust and faith in you.

Lord as 2008 comes to an end and 2009 begins, we promise to strive to serve you through living our lives consistent with how your beloved son lived His life and through prayer and daily devotion to you and all your children.

May you accept our humble attempts and continue to inspire us through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We ask this in the name of your beloved son, our redeemer and savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. AMEN