A Prayer about the New Things God Will Do in 2023

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

Lord of New Things,

On this New Year’s Day, 

we celebrate all of the new things 

you have already done, 

and all of the new things 

you will one day do 

when Jesus returns.

We thank you for the very new thing 

you did at Christmas over 2000 years ago—

You sent your Son as a weak and weeping infant-king. 

We praise you for the redeeming work 

he has already done in our lives. 

We look forward to the new things 

you have planned to do in us this year.

How will we fulfill our created and re-created purpose 

to enjoy and glorify you this year?

May we not scribble shallow “resolutions” today 

that we will break by next week; 

may we write prayers of purpose, 

seeking your creative power 

to radically transform our lives, 

to make us people 

who love our families, our friends, 

our neighbors, and our enemies. 

May our resolutions be far less 

about what we will do in 2022 

and far more about who we will become.

In Jesus’ transforming name. Amen. 

Read Isaiah 43:1-4, 19-21.