Happy New Year We Pray (Guest Post by Dr. Susan B Mead)

Merry Christmas! Did you hear that recently? How about Happy New Year? Are you hoping and praying for a different set of circumstances in 2021 than 2020?

Yea, me too! So Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you too. Yet how do you and I live like that? Where does hope come from?

First, you must look within yourself. 

In 2020, many have been distracted or even distraught with the challenges of living in isolation, mouths muzzled, and threatened by a virus so strong it has wrought havoc and brought the proverbial hell on earth. These circumstances fill us with fear when we received news of friends or family in the hospital, on a ventilator, or worse. 

But God…Jesus is still King of kings and Lord of lords! We celebrated His 2020th birthday recently. Some see this Christmas celebration as paying homage to and honoring God’s love covenant with us. Peace on earth, goodwill to mankind, His angels spoke, telling of the great JOY of Jesus.

Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. 

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. Luke 2:11, 13-14 The Message

Second, look to God as the source of your hope. 

Remember all God has done for you. He saved you and sealed your eternal future. Look with a hope filled heart to Him as the psalmist did so long ago.

For You are my hope;
Lord God, You are my confidence from my youth. Psalm 71:5 NASB

Third, trust God.

He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. His mercies are new every morning. You can trust Him.

But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” Psalm 31:14 NKJV

Fourth, pray like Jesus taught us.

In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV

What better celebration of the birth of Jesus than to look to Him each and every day and pray as He taught us? Hope abounds in His presence. So pray and bring Heaven to earth today. And every day of 2021.

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Dr. Susan B. Mead, ThD is a master storyteller and award-winning, bestselling author. She leaves audiences motivated to live a life free of regrets even though she has done the hardest thing any parent can do – bury her youngest son, Kyle.  Susan has been described as a solid, comforting voice in a messy world. Whether speaking to business professionals, women’s conferences, industry leaders or writer’s workshops, Susan’s insightful wisdom inspires audiences, empowering them to make healthy mental u-turns to help them find calm in the chaos.  Connect with Susan on her website, on Facebook or on Amazon where her award-winning books, Dance With Jesus: From Grief to Grace and Don’t Go Through Life Naked: How to Clothe Yourself in God’s Power, are available.