Lord God, our heavenly Father, we thank you that you have brought us safely to the beginning of this year. We pray for your light and your blessing during the coming year. Help us to discern your will, to make good decisions, and be strengthened by your love. We thank you for the worship, prayers and activities together in our churches, St Mary’s in Baldock and St. Margaret’s in Bygrave.  We give thanks for our Messy church and Tiny Tots services, and ask for the success of our new youth choir and our Start course beginning in January, so that more people of all ages get to know your love.

We pray for the communities we live in. Give peace in our hearts and peace in the world wherever there is war and suffering. We especially pray for the bereaved and for the children in conflict areas, that they may know your joy. We pray for those affected by the severe weather conditions including floods, rain and storms. Grant us more wisdom to care for your natural world this coming year.

We thank you for your abiding love year in and year out, that you keep your promises for us, even when we fail. Help us to become more like you this year.

Amen.