“You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.” Psalm 65:11

Looking out our windows right now, I marvel at the crisp snow, groomed by hundreds of footprints and sledding tracks in our neighbors’ yards. We had an extraordinary blizzard, the most snow I’ve ever experienced in my life for Christmas Day…what a blessing from God!

Before spring weather brings warmth and crocuses, this wintry blanket gives us a season of waiting—a time for reflection, rest, and practicing faith for God’s providence in the future. It has given me quiet moments of grateful prayer.

As we close out 2020, we are tempted to “shake the dust off our feet” in departing from this tumultuous year. But I encourage you to take stock of where you are, recognize the wonderful privileges He gives you daily, and pray for the upcoming seasons of your life. 

If you don’t know how to pray, one easy method is ACTS: adore Him with praise, confess your sins to Him, thank Him for His blessings and forgiveness, and send Him your requests. Close your prayer with the powerful name of Jesus Christ.

As we pray together for our world, nation, family, and friends, may you leave 2020 behind and look forward to 2021, as in the message of the apostle Paul: 

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)

Blessings to each of you for your new year in the Lord.

Heavenly Father, Lord and Savior, how we worship and adore You in every season of our lives. You are constant, faithful, compassionate, ever-merciful. As we leave the wreckage of 2020 behind us, give us a parting glimpse of Your hand at work…let us see how You have comforted and sheltered us all along the way, even as the storms battered us. Forgive us for our fear, confusion, hasty words, anger, frustration. Thank You for continuing to pull us through all of this, despite our weaknesses and selfishness…let us learn from it how to follow You more closely. We are grateful for what You have accomplished and what You will accomplish for us in the coming year. Give us a renewed hunger for Your word. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, whose gifts we need to share with others. Take us into the streets and byways to bring Your good news to the lost—Your living water to thirsty souls. Heal our nations and world of this pandemic. Make us stronger, to stand together against the evils of violence and destruction. Give us greater appreciation for our family and friends, and remind us to tell them more often how much we love them. Though 2021 may bring even bigger trials, continue to show us that You are present with us…Your rod and Your staff, they shall continue to comfort us. May our cups run over with Your love and steadfast grace. Surely Your goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days ahead, and let us dwell with You in Your house forever. In the majestic name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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© Copyright 2020 Nancy C. Williams, Lightbourne Creative