Meditation for the end of the Year 2020

Lord for the Years by Timothy Dudley Smith (CCLI copyright covered by CCL 118111)
© 1969 Hope Publishing Company

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Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided,
urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way,
sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided:
Lord of the years, we bring our thanks today.

As we remember events of this passing year,
we ask God’s forgiveness for all our failures.
Father, we recall the times when we have forgotten
that you are the Lord of creation.
We have been more concerned with our selfish interests
than with your purpose for our lives and of your creation.

Turn us back to you, Father,
make us thankful for all the blessings we have received
and give us the courage to rely on you,
knowing that you continue to embrace us in your loving arms
whatever the future may hold.
             Bring in your Kingdom of justice, mercy and peace.

Lord, for that word, the word of life which fires us,
speaks to our hearts and sets our souls ablaze,
teaches and trains, rebukes us and inspires us:
Lord of the word, receives your people’s praise.

Despite the confusion and complications of the far reaching events of this past year,
we have been encouraged by reading the scriptures
and through the preaching and teaching of our ministers,
We have been sustained by prayer and the sacraments.

We praise you, loving Father, for the resourcefulness and dedication
of religious and community leaders, medical personnel,
scientists, support teams and the emergency services.
             Bring in your Kingdom of justice, hope and peace.

Lord, for our land in this our generation,
spirits oppressed by pleasure, wealth and care:
for young and old, for commonwealth and nation,
Lord of our land, be pleased to hear our prayer.

We remember some of the difficulties faced by many people:
feelings of loss and loneliness when we cannot meet together,
sadness in bereavement, worry of redundancy,
discrimination suffered by minorities,
special difficulties faced by the young
and the complications of a different style of home life.

We give you thanks, Father, for opportunities for renewal of faith,
for time to reflect, for challenges and for opportunities for service,
for the joy of celebrating in a simpler way.
             Bring in your Kingdom of justice, gentleness and peace.

Lord, for our world when we disown and doubt him,
loveless in strength and comfortless in pain,
hungry and helpless, lost indeed without him:
Lord of the world, we pray that Christ will reign.

The world has seemed to be in confusion: there is uncertainty as to the future,
an absence of direction and a lack of confidence in our earthly leaders.
Despite this many have shown initiative, offering loving kindness towards others.
They have ensured that we know we are not forgotten in our isolation and separation.

We pray, Father, that those who have harnessed their own energy
and that of others to make sure those in need have not been neglected,
may be reassured and strengthened to continue.
As a new year begins renew us in your service.
            Bring in your Kingdom of justice, healing and peace.

Lord for ourselves; in living power remake us –
self on the cross and Christ upon the throne,
past put behind us, for the future take us:
Lord of our lives, to live for Christ alone.

Whatever we have experienced in past years, we know that we can move forward
in faith because you are the Lord of time and eternity:
the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

Father, you make all things new and you remain for ever the same:
grant that we may begin the approaching year in faith and hope,
knowing that the whole of creation is sustained by you and held close in your love.
Guide us in all our endeavours, that we may always think and act
for the glory of your name and the coming of your Kingdom.
We ask that finally, by your grace, you take us to yourself to enjoy your presence for ever.
              Bring in your Kingdom of justice, wholeness and peace.