Prayers: The Naming of Jesus
1 January
Lord God,
we commemorate today the naming of your Son Jesus who came to be the Saviour of the world.
As His Name is the only name by which we may find salvation,
help us to make your Name known throughout the world. Amen.
Glorious are you, Lord, God of time and space,
creator of the world,
sustainer of all that exists.
You have made yourself known through times and seasons
through the rhythm of life
and the turning of the years,
to people of all generations, young and old.
Bless us as we gather in prayer,
and protect us through the coming year
that we may be resolved to follow your Son, born of Mary,
and honour his name by the lives we live,
for he is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Almighty God,
creator of each new year and sustainer of all its days,
you lead all things to their ultimate fulfilment in you.
In time, you sent your Son, born of a woman,
so that, adopted as your children and filled with his Spirit,
we may cry out ‘Abba! Father!’
Bless us and keep us, in this new year (or: in the year to come)
Let your face shine on us and be gracious to us
so that the gift of peace may dwell in our hearts and lives.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. Amen.
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
you gather a people to yourself, O God.
From the dawning of a new year
until darkness settles across its days
your powerful hand guides and sustains,
for you are the Creator of all that exists,
and your Spirit breathes life into all that gives you glory.
Bless us as we gather in your Son’s name,
that the new year to which we look forward with hope
will bring fulfilled promises and the fruits of your kingdom
which Jesus Christ, through his humble birth, has brought to the world,
for he is Emmanuel, God with us,
and is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Collect 142
Almighty God,
whose blessed Son was circumcised
in obedience to the law for our sake
and given the Name that is above every name:
give us grace faithfully to bear his Name,
to worship him in the freedom of the Spirit,
and to proclaim him as the Saviour of the world;
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.