The Tribune

By Rev Angela C Bosfield Palacious

There are congregations who are praying fervently for this nation to be healed and delivered. Some have all-night vigils. Others have a typed prayer to be used at every service for a full year.

This is Solomon’s prayer for his people as found in 2 Samuel 8:27-30, 46-51 27: “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.

The Anglican Church in Inagua is using the following New Year’s prayer which they asked me to write for them for use during the month of January. Feel free to use it if you wish:

LEADER: Lord our God, we praise your holy name. We stand or kneel before you in awe and wonder.

ALL: We are not worthy to approach your throne and yet you love us and desire us to come into your most holy presence.

LEADER: Lord, we come at the beginning of this year to give you thanks for all of the many blessings we have enjoyed.

ALL: You have showered us with so much.

LEADER: We are grateful for the victories won and strength in the midst of the struggles.

ALL: Lord, only by your grace have we come this far.

LEADER: We ask your comfort for those who have lost loved ones this past year.

ALL: We pray that their souls will be resting in peace.

LEADER: Lord Jesus, we pray that this will be a wonderful New Year.

ALL: Fill it with faith moments when your Holy Spirit enables us to worship in Spirit and in truth.

LEADER: Jesus, our Shepherd, help us to find green pastures and still waters.

ALL: Lead us, Lord, in the paths of righteousness and restore our souls.

LEADER: God, our Provider, give jobs to those who are unemployed or underemployed.

ALL: Help us. Lord, to use our gifts and talents to your honour and glory, and to build up the Kingdom of God.

LEADER: God, our Healer, we pray for good health this year, and recovery from all sickness.

ALL: Teach us, Lord, how to eat more nutritiously, drinking water frequently, and getting adequate rest, and exercise.

LEADER: Lord Jesus, bless our youth and children, and protect them from all harm and danger.

ALL: Bring them to a saving faith that guides their lives according to your perfect plan.

LEADER: Lord, our God, touch the hearts of every adult to obey your commands and set godly examples.

ALL: May every child have loving parents, wise teachers, and trustworthy mentors, counsellors and role models.

LEADER: We pray for every home to be a haven of peace and for godly relationships.

ALL: Lord, remove all addiction, abuse and domestic violence from all our homes.

LEADER: We pray that this will be our best year ever, drawing closer to you and delighting your heart.

ALL: We pray all these prayers in the mighty name of Jesus. AMEN.

This is the Apostle Paul’s prayer: “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

It is a powerful prayer and it has been recommended that we make it our daily prayer, for the rest of the year.

• Rev Angela Palacious, a motivational speaker and author of several devotional books, is an Anglican priest. She may be contacted at 393-9000 or by e-mail at angelapalacious@gmail.com.