Evening Prayer for the New Year

Great and Exalted God! My trust in Thee has not been put to shame on this first day the new year; for on it I have experienced many proofs of Thy goodness and love. Thou hast given me gladness of heart; Thou hast caused Thy Word to be proclaimed to me; Thou hast satisfied and overwhelmed me with good things. Praise and glory and thanksgiving be unto Thee from my inmost heart.

As Thou hast hitherto graciously heard my prayer, so do Thou now hearken to my cry as I lie down to rest. At the dawn of this day and year I besought Thy favor and grace and blessing for myself. Now I will pray for others also, in accordance with Thy command to make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks for all men. Let those whom Thou hast made to be kings and rulers on earth rule in peace and prosperity. On their wellbeing, health, prudence, and foresight, depend in a large measure the welfare, comfort, and peace of those over whom they rule. Crown, therefore, with long life all those rulers who bear Thy image and serve Thee: and let them preserve their vigor to a green old age. But let them always be mindful of their responsibility as the divinely constituted authorities over others, that they may deal righteously, reward the good, and punish the wicked: and that all who live under their rule may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Arm with the plenteous gifts of Thy Spirit those whom Thou hast sent out to preach the Gospel of peace. Give them grace and strength to administer their weighty office, and let them always open their lips with joy to Thy glory. Let them be free from the fear of men, and speak the truth unreservedly to all, so that through their instrumentality Thy kingdom upon earth may be spread more and more, and an assembly of believers be builded up which shall constantly be assured of Thy favor. Watch over the whole Christian Church on earth. Deal with each and every member of it as a loving Father, reconciled through Christ. Do good unto them as unto Thy children. Bless their labor and toil for their daily bread. Ward off from them every evil, and be always their Sun and Shield. And as Thou blessest them in bodily things, so be Thou also gracious and kind to them in spiritual things. Let sinners be led to repentance by Thy goodness, that the angels of heaven may rejoice over them. Strengthen those whom Thou hast pardoned. Ground and establish them in the good, that no man may take their crown. Gladden the sorrowing and afflicted; strengthen and heal the weak and the sick; comfort and refresh the destitute. Have mercy upon all men.

These, O Father of mercies, are the supplications which I bring before Thee. Graciously hear them, and add Thy Yea and Amen. Then shall this be a blessed year for me and for all. O God, in whom we trust, grant us on earth these spiritual and bodily blessings, till in eternity we shall unceasingly reap blessings from Thy hands, and enter into the possession of the good things of Thy house. In the confidence that Thou wilt certainly hear my prayer, I close my eyes, and commit myself and all my fellow-Christians to Thy fatherly care. Amen.