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Have a blessed and wonderful New Year

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jer. 29:11
"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." Prov. 3:5-6

Prayers to Keep God First in the New Year
The New Year can often bring a mixed bag of emotions and memories for many of us. Some may have just experienced the best year ever and look forward to an even greater one looming ahead. Others may have just trudged through one deep struggle after another. The new calendar year brings desperate hope for things to be better, with an ache for the still-fresh wounds to slowly begin their process of healing.

Whether you've just walked through the most significant year of your life or are incredibly glad to see this one finally over, one Truth still rings clear amidst it all. You are not alone. Not ever.

Our God is an "Emmanuel with us" God. On the heels of the celebration of the birth of our King, that reminder has the Power to carry us right into a fresh, new start. He is Immanuel, God with us. And though things and people around us shift and change, our God never changes.

A Prayer to Keep God First This New Year
Our Heavenly Father, thank you for making all things new. Thank you for all you've allowed into our lives this past year, the good and the hard things that have reminded us how much we need you and rely on your Presence filling us every day.

We pray for your Spirit to lead us each step of this New Year. We ask that you guide our decisions and turn our hearts to desire you above all else deeply. We ask that you open the doors needing to be opened and close the ones needing to be shut tight. We ask that you help us release our grip on the things to which you've said "no," "not yet," or "wait." We ask for help to pursue you first, above every dream and desire you've put within our hearts.

We ask for your wisdom, strength, and Power to be constantly present within us. We pray you will make us strong and courageous for the road ahead. Give us ability beyond what we feel able. Let your gifts flow freely through us so that our lives honor you, and others are drawn to you. We pray that you'd keep us far from the snares and traps of temptations.

We pray for your protection for our families and friends. We ask for your hand to cover us and keep us distanced from the enemy's evil intent; that you would be a barrier to surround us, that we'd be safe in your hands. We ask that you keep our footsteps firm, helping us be consistent and faithful. Give us supernatural endurance to stay the course, not swerving to the right or the left or being too easily distracted by other things that would seek to call us away from a close walk with you. We pray that you will give us discernment and insight beyond our years to understand your will, hear your voice, and know your ways.

Forgive us for the times we have worked so hard to be self-sufficient, forgetting our need for you, living independent of your Spirit. Forgive us for letting fear and worry control our minds and allowing pride and selfishness to wreak havoc over our lives. Forgive us for not following your ways and living far from your Presence. We confess our need for you…fresh…new…again. We ask that you make all things new, in our hearts, in our minds, and in our lives, for this coming year. We pray for your refreshment over us.

Lord, lead us on your level ground. Keep your words of Truth planted firmly within us, help us to keep focused on what is pure and right, and give us the Power to be obedient to your word. And when the enemy reminds us of where we have been, hissing his lies and attacking our way, we trust that your voice speaks louder and stronger, as you remind us, we are safe with you, and your purposes and plans will not fail. We ask that you be our defense and rear guard, keeping our way clear, removing the obstacles, and covering the pitfalls.

We ask that you provide for our needs; we ask for your grace and favor. We pray for your blessings to cover us, and you will help us prosper and make every plan you have birthed in our hearts succeed. We pray that others would take notice of your goodness and cannot help but to say, "These are the ones that the Lord has blessed."

Please help us to be known as great givers, allow us to be generous and kind, help us to look to the needs of others, and not be consumed by only our own. May we be lovers of Truth and may the fruits of your Spirit be evident in our lives - your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Shine your light in us, through us, over us. May we make a difference in this world for your glory and purposes. Set your way before us. May all your plans succeed. We may reflect your peace and hope to a world that desperately needs your Presence and healing. To you be glory and honor in this New Year and forever. In Jesus' name, Amen.

"May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed." Ps. 20:4
"You crown the year with your goodness, and your paths drip with abundance." Ps. 65:11

"كَلَّلْتَ ٱلسَّنَةَ بِجُودِكَ، وَآثَارُكَ تَقْطُرُ دَسَمًا". (مز 65: 11)
الزمن والانسان
في اليوم الأول من عام 2023 سقطت ورقة عام 2022 من شجرة الزمن الهرمة، ونبتت مكانها ورقة يانعة تبشر بحلول سنة جديدة.

هذه الورقة الغضة ستكبر مع الأيام وتهرم ثم تسقط كسابقاتها بعد انقضاء أجلها وتدخل في سفر التاريخ فلا تعود تصلح إلا للذكرى.

هكذا يدور الزمن عاماً يتلوه عام حاملاً في جعبته شتى المتناقضات، ويتأرجح الانسان في هذا الخضم المتلاطم بين الأمل واليأس، والطموح والتخاذل، والصحة والمرض، والفرح والترح..

وبعد هذا الصراع العنيف الذي يدور بين الانسان والزمن وتصبح الغلبة للثاني، فيطوي ورقة جديدة من سجل حياة الانسان ولا يبقى للأجيال المقبلة منه سوى الذكرى..

إننا نستقبل هذا العام الجديد وفي أعماق قلوبنا الآمال العراض بأن يحمل لنا الخير والفرح والسلام والسعادة..

أجل، سقط عام 2022 من سجل الزمن وحلّ مكانه العام الجديد 2023 وتربع على عرش التاريخ، ليفتح صفحة جديدة من صفحاته المتعددة المبهمة ...

يتساءل العالم في توجس وقلق وخوف ترى ماذا يخبئ لنا هذا العام في طياته من شؤون وشجون؟...

أتكون أيامه زاهرة ومشرقة كشمس الربيع، تحمل الى الناس الدفء وبشائر الفرح وأغصان الزيتون واخضرار الطبيعة..

هو حقنا ونحن نعتنقه، هو حياتنا ونحن نحيا به، هو راعينا، الى مراع خضر يربضنا، والى مياه الراحة يوردنا (مز 23: 2)، هو خبزنا ونحن به نتغذى، هو ماء الحياة وبه نطفئ ظمأنا، هو بهاء مجد الآب السماوي ورسم جوهره، هو فادينا يخلصنا من كل إثم، ونحن نستمد منه كل قوة تعيننا على حياة القداسة.

وهو محبة الآب المتجسدة، والمحبة كلمة من نور إذ كتبتها يد الآب في صفحة تاريخنا، داحقاً من عالمنا الحاقد الذي كنا نحن له قبراً.

صَنَعَ ٱلْكُلَّ حَسَنًا فِي وَقْتِهِ، وَأَيْضًا جَعَلَ ٱلْأَبَدِيَّةَ فِي قَلْبِهِمِ، ٱلَّتِي بِلَاهَا لَا يُدْرِكُ ٱلْإِنْسَانُ ٱلْعَمَلَ ٱلَّذِي يَعْمَلُهُ ٱللهُ مِنَ ٱلْبِدَايَةِ إِلَى ٱلنِّهَايَةِ" ‮‮(اَلْجَامِعَةِ‬ ٣: ١١). ‬‬‬‬‬‬
نهاية سنة وبداية سنة جديدة اخوتي الاحباء هي فرصة للإنسان ان يجلس مع نفسه ليراجع ذاته ويرى يد الله التي تعمل لأجل الخير. فلنشكر الرب الإله على كل نعمه، نشكره على عطاياه لا بل نشكره أيضاً على أحزاننا ودموعنا وأمراضنا لأننا نثق انه إله صالح مهما حدث لأنه قادر ان يخرج من الجافي حلاوة ومن الشر خير وأنه يجعل كل الأشياء تعمل معاً لأجل الخير للذين يحبون الله.

سنة مباركة أتمناها للجميع وأصلي من كل القلب أن تكون سنة أفراح واختبارات روحية تجعلنا ندرك العمل الذي يعمله الله من البداية إلى النهاية.

نسأله تعالى أن يجعل هذا العام نقطة التحول الى تغيير الأحوال المأسوية الى مسرات فيحل السلام والوئام وأن يخمد هذا الغليان الطاغي في النفوس، فتعود الحياة الطبيعية، هادئة هانئة، ويعمّ الخير وتعمر القلوب من جديد بالسعادة والهناء ...
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كل عام وأنتم بألف خير