Prayer and Bible for a new year
Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash
CATHEDRAL NEWSLETTER - 30 December 2023
Friends in Christ, I trust Christmas has had some joys for you, chiefly in remembering Christ, come among us in the flesh, as our Messiah, Saviour, Redeemer, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counsellor, Desire of Nations, and more! But also in some rest or some time with family or friends.
Thanks to all who served at our services... Someone who watched and worshipped with us online, from overseas, with an elderly and infiorm mother, has written
We appreciate all the believers who have led us to worship the Lord in Sydney through the readings, prayer, songs and sacrificial service. The unseen folks like the cleaners, attendants and maintenance crew to folks like us who are miles away.
I am just back from a few days away at Karyn's parents' family farm, where we had Christmas lunch on Boxing Day, as well as some excellent backyard cricket, spectacular sunsets and beautiful moonrises!
In recent, I have been praying frequently this prayer for myself and my immediate family. It is slightly modified from one first shared on New Year's Eve, a few years ago, by Dustin Benge. Perhaps you'd like to consider adding something like this to your list of things to pray regularly.
Prayer for this year for...
1. Jesus to be our joy.
2. Faith to be our foundation.
3. Love to be our language.
4. Mercy to be our manner.
5. Integrity to be our intention.
6. Courageous to be our commitment.
7. Truthful to be our talking
8. Gentle to be our going.
9. God’s Glory to be our goal.
Lastly, I encourage you to consider reading the Bible regularly. It takes a little planning and organisation - in other words, developing a habit. It also generally works best when you take a little time to reflect and perhaps turn what you read into a prayer back to God.
This article compares it to a walk in the park - not because it is easy - but because if you walk in a park regularly, over different seasons, you will become more and more aware of the beauty and variety and riches of all that's in the park!
If the idea is totally new to you, I'd recommend the 5x5x5 plan to read the New Testament in a year from the Navigators.
If you've done it before, but struggle to keep it up seven days a week, maybe try the Five Day Plan recommended by Melissa Kruger.
Warmly in Christ
Sandy Grant
Dean of Sydney