January Blog by Rev'd Kim Lafferty
January 2020 - Vicar Writes
A Prayer for a God-Shaped 2020
Jeremiah 9:23-24: This is what the Lord says: ‘Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the Lord.
Dear friends, we have no idea whether or not 2020 is going to be a ‘happy’ new year. But can I encourage you with what we can know –there won’t be a day this year when God will fail to send us new mercies, to give us sufficient grace, and to be at work for our good.
Why? Because if we know that God has hidden our lives in Christ, then his love will be the most constant, liberating, and reliable reality in our lives. The prophet Zephaniah says: “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zeph. 3:17). What a wonderful thought – God delighting in us and singing over us as a father sings to his child.
My heart’s desire for us all in 2020 is that this good news be more precious and real to us than anything else.
I pray that 2020 will be, for us all, a year filled with knowing God better, resting in his grace, and serving him more faithfully. Though the temptation for things like approval, riches, and control will continue, may the joy of knowing God and following Jesus grab hold of our hearts, form our schedules, and fill our days. May we dance and suffer, work and play, serve and give all to God’s glory.
At the beginning of 2020, let us ask God to reveal more of Jesus to our hearts, bring his renewal to our churches, and advance his Kingdom in our parishes. Indeed, may the Gospel compel us to love mercy, work for justice, and walk humbly with our God until the day he takes us Home.
May we live each day of 2020 resting in God’s sovereign rule while loving well, working at being forgiving, and living with expectancy in Jesus’ return.