How to pray in the new year...

So, I'm not a "how to" girl really. But, after reading Psalm 20 in yesterday's lectionary, how to pray in the new year became planted in the mind of my heart. Here is a prayer to pray for yourself, your family, your friends, for all those missionaries you promised to pray for, for your pastor/priest/minister/clergy-person, for me (I'm smiling!) ... for whomever! As I write it I pray it for you, kind reader! But please, make it personal for whom you are praying by inserting his/her name instead of "you".

Here is my prayer for you for the new year based on Psalm 20:

May the LORD's answer find you in times of trouble;
and may His NAME rescue you, keep you safe from any harm.
May He send help and hope from his holy home,
and support and strengthen you from his shalom (contented peace).
May He remember all you have offered him ... your sacrifices
and show you his mercy and favor.

Take time to think on these things 
as you hold this person in prayer before the LORD.

May He grant you your heart's desires, your dreams!
and make all your plans succeed.
When you succeed, we will not be silent!
We will shout with joy and thanksgiving,
raising praise to our Great God so that all may see!
May the LORD answer all your prayers.

Take time to think on these things 
as you hold this person in prayer before the LORD.

I have no fear; I know that the LORD has sent his answer!
Help is coming. His mighty right hand has sent it.
Others put their hope in their own resources,
but we boast in the LORD our God!
All those others will collapse and fall,
but we will rise and stand firm.

Take time to think on these things 

as you hold this person in prayer before the LORD.

May the LORD God grant you victory!
On the day we call, O LORD, answer us.
In The Powerful Name, Jesus ... so be it!

Happy New Year! 

I LOVE sparklers! May Eternity dwell in your heart in 2014!