A joyful, God-blessed 2012 to all!!!

Lord, we pause on the eve of a new year. 2011 is about to go and 2012 ready and eager to take over.

Lord, if it be Your will, can you make 2012 a more joyful, blessed year for all?

At the end of 2011, many of our people lost many of their loved ones and were unable to spend or experience Christmas. Some lost their homes and possessions to fire. Walang pasko, walang maligayang bagong taon. We know You are always with them and with us all, no matter what. Can you please allow especially the fire and typhoon victims and the needy to have a more joyful, blessed 2012?

In 2011, many more lost their loved ones, their homes, even their communities to earthquakes, to political upheavals, to wars, to conflicts all throughout the world. So much lives changed and broken even. To them, Lord, can you please grant faith rather than fear, comfort rather than anxiety, hope and joy rather than despair and pain?

At the dawn of a new year, there is so much uncertainty about what the new year will unfold for each one, for all, throughout this world. Lord, can you grant peace and more faith for all for 2012?

We thank You Lord, for Your great love and grace for us for 2011 as we thank You again for 2012.

“ Lord, let our eyes be opened,” ( Matthew 20:33) to what You want us to see, to Your blessings that You prepare for us day in and day out this new year.

Lead us to reach out to those You will send our way to serve and to care for.

Let us always remember this song viewed by millions in Youtube, sang heartily by a then 2-year old child with his parents from a poem entitled, “God Will Take Care of You,” written by Civilla D. Martin in 1904 as follows:

“Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you. Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.

(Refrain) God will take care of you, through every day, o’er all the way; He will take care of you, God will take care of you.

Through days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you; When dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you.

All you may need He will provide, God will take care of you; Nothing you ask will be denied, God will take care of you.

No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you; Lean, weary one, upon His breast, God will take care of you.”

Allow us to “be strong and take heart (Ps 27:14) and to continue to give thanks, glory, and praise to God. Always guide us to remember that “the Lord who “thus far” has helped us (1 Samuel 7:12) will help us all our journey through.”

Let us remember, as F. B. Meyer wrote, that You, our “God is out in front, that you are in our tomorrows, that You are already there!

Finally, dear God, for 2012, just in previous years, may we always remember these words about You shared by J. Danson Smith:

Dark is the sky! And veiled the unknown morrow! Dark is life’s way, for night is not yet o’er; The longed-for glimpse I many not meanwhile borrow; But, this I know and trust, HE GOES BEFORE.

…Heart seems to dread what life may hold in store; But I am His- He knows the way I am taking, More blessed even still – HE GOES BEFORE…

HE GOES BEFORE! Be this my consolation! He goes before! On this would dwell! He goes before! This guarantees salvation! HE GOES BEFORE! And therefore all is well.

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