Praise be to God, our Father, who has given us all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ in heaven.

As we start this new year, we begin with praise: You are our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. You are the fountain of all good, and You shower us with blessings—blessings in the heavenly places and blessings amid the creation You have made.

You have chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in love. We rejoice in this truth, even as we marvel that such grace could be ours.

We confess that holiness often seems distant, and we are habitually to blame. Forgive us, Lord. Grant us Your grace as we plan and walk in this new year. By Your Spirit, shape our resolutions and desires, that we may be more fully devoted to Christ and His kingdom. Make us faithful servant-leaders in our homes, in Your church, and in the world, seeking not to be served but to serve, even as our Lord Jesus came not to be served but to give His life as a ransom for many.

Help us to remember and rest in Your promises as we look to the year ahead. We intercede for each other in this congregation; may we continue to bless you by the work done. We pray for our wider community who find themselves in need, distressed, and without hope. We lift those who feel excluded, unwelcome, and alone. May they know how deeply they delight You. Empower us, Your church, to be servant-leaders who notice, welcome, and care for them in tangible ways.

As we turn our attention to our greater state, nation, and world, we pray for Your church throughout creation: preserve her unity, purify her witness, and raise up leaders who are humble, courageous, and devoted to Christ above all. May pastors, elders, deacons, and all who lead do so as servants, following the example of our Lord. Use us to proclaim the gospel, to pursue justice, to show mercy, and above all, walk humbly with You.

We intercede for those in positions of authority in our communities and among the nations. Grant them wisdom, integrity, and a spirit of service. Turn their hearts toward what is just and decent. May they seek the common good and protect the vulnerable. Where there is conflict, bring peace; where there is oppression, bring justice; where there is confusion, bring clarity and truth.

We lift before You those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit—those who are sick, grieving, anxious, or weary. Comfort the afflicted, heal the sick, strengthen caregivers, provide for the poor, and draw near to the lonely. May this new year be, for many, a season of renewed hope in Christ.

Lord, we praise You for the glorious grace that You have freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Christ, we are redeemed and forgiven. In Christ, we can live again with hope. Help us to embrace this gift anew and to share it freely with others. Guide us that we may heal divisions, ease antagonism, seek reconciliation, and love others as You have loved us.

Finally, Lord, as we begin a new year of service, we remember before You all the saints who have walked this road of faith before us, those who were the first to set their hope on Christ and who now rest from their labors. As we enter this new year, may we be strengthened to follow their example of steadfast faith, generous love, and courageous service.

So, Lord, we commit ourselves afresh to You: our time, our gifts, our plans, and our desires. Make us, by Your grace, faithful servant-leaders who live for the praise of Your glory.

And now, we join our voices with all Your people across time and space, praying as our Savior taught us, saying, “Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.”