29th December 2025 - 4th January 2026
NEW BEGINNING
I felt drawn to write a little of our story as once again I find myself in a ‘New Beginning’. A new year without Jim, having no idea what this year holds but having learned that whilst it’s not wrong to make plans we should hold them lightly and look beyond our own understanding, trusting in the future God has already prepared.
Jim and I chose as our wedding theme ‘A New Beginning’. We had these words printed on our invitations, order of service and place cards. We both felt after deep pain, loss and sadness that God was granting us new beginnings in a brand new chapter of life.
Three months into our marriage, New Beginnings looked very different from the plans that Jim and I had made. ‘Life was for living’ (we were going to Greek Island hop, discover Southeast Asia with back packs on our backs, walk lots and Jim’s favourite – ski.) However, Jim took a stroke whilst on our delayed honeymoon. Life as we knew it, as we planned it, changed forever. Ill health was to be our new beginning and be so for the rest of our marriage as Jim developed lung disease and then Parkinson’s. Our Loving Father took us on a journey we had neither planned or imagined yet, in the midst of confusion, the whys and wherefores, He held us close. We knew we had a choice to make – become disillusioned, bitter, angry or accept this was the new beginning He had known would be. “All things work together for good to those that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose”. We both could quote this verse but it took on new meaning for us, we were being called to trust Him, to believe in a much deeper way. Abba Father never failed us on our journey (although many times we failed Him), He held us, carried us, encouraged us, blessed us, changed us, grew us and loved us even when it was messy.
As we enter a new year, new beginning, for many in our church family there is excitement, weddings, babies, new jobs, new opportunities. For many others there is fear and anxiety of what lies ahead. Change is inevitable and actually a new beginning can happen sometimes daily as we face life’s unexpected challenges. May I encourage each of us to not grow weary, to not loose heart, to step out in faith, to take up our cross and follow the one that holds us in the palm of His hand, the one who is transforming our hearts and uses the very situations we find ourselves in, even though sometimes almost unbearably painful, for His Glory, which is ultimately for our good, and that’s hard to get our heads around sometimes. We have no idea what 2026 will hold yet for those who know the Saviour, the one who wraps us up in His love, we can trust He knows best and what heart changes we need.
Written by Noreen Reid
MONDAY
See I am doing a new thing; Now it springs up do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19
Heavenly Father, Creator God, the one who makes all things new and whose plans are always good, we come before you with hearts full of gratitude. We believe that you are working in ways we cannot yet see, help us to surrender ourselves to your divine purpose. As we step into this new year, grant us the grace to adapt to whatever comes our way, and help us to keep our eyes fixed firmly on you, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Strengthen our roots, Lord, that we might grow like trees planted by the riverside – steadfast and unshaken, even in the face of adversity. Remind us that the enemy fights against us because something extraordinary lies ahead, and that you, in your faithfulness, are preparing us for something far greater than we can imagine.
Father, help us to surrender our own plans into yours. Whatever this new year brings, we trust that you are making roads in the wilderness and rivers in the dry places of our lives. We step forward with confidence, knowing that you are making a way. In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
TUESDAY
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-24
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for your daily mercies and unending compassion. Thank you for guarding and protecting us through every trial, granting us peace and hope in times of sorrow. When we repent you forgive us. You are ever present, ready to guide, support, instruct and rebuke us. Your mercy is greater than all our failings. Help us to know this. Train us to hear your voice above the noise of the world, to seek your wisdom, and to see others through your eyes. Remind us of your faithfulness in the past, and help us to reflect that love and grace to those around us.
We ask for your strength to encourage others and share the good news of your steadfast love, hope and peace. Empower us to bear one another's burdens and care for others as you have called us to. May we use our lives and resources to reflect your mercy and compassion to a world in need. Open our eyes to every opportunity to love and serve. In this new year may Jesus be centre. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you: I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26
Father in heaven, we praise you as our heart surgeon – your word is sharper than a double edged sword. We pray that we would allow it to do its work in growing us to become more like Jesus, gracious, patient, merciful and kind. Thank you that you are the same yesterday, today and forever and your promises are always true. At the dawn of a new year, we ask you to take our hearts of stone and transform them. May we have hearts that long for what pleases you, hearts that, like David, are after your own. Change us from the inside out so radically that the world will see Jesus in us through the power of your Spirit. We confess our struggles with sin and ask you to reveal it to us. Cleanse us so that we may reflect your purity and love. Help us to rid ourselves of materialism and all idols that distract us from you.
We lift up the nations, leaders and all in authority. We pray for hearts to be changed, that they may turn back to you, the one true God. We cry out for a movement of repentance, let it begin with us. Just as Ezra’s call helped restore a nation, will you raise up modern day Ezras and Nehemiahs who will lead our nations back to you. Lord, you said if your people would humble themselves, pray and seek your face and turn from our wickedness, you would hear us, forgive and heal our land. In your mercy convict us, Lord, to cry out. May we begin in our own communities – praying, loving our neighbours, shining like stars, and making a difference with hearts that reflect your love. We trust your word that all things are possible through your Son, Jesus Christ.
THURSDAY
Create in me a pure heart O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
Our Loving Saviour, at the beginning of this new year, we come before you, the one who sees and knows us intimately, understands our sins, weaknesses and struggles. We ask that you would create in us hearts that are gentle, compassionate, loving, joyful and full of gratitude. Instil in us a deep desire to serve others and shape our hearts to reflect yours – hearts filled with forgiveness, slow to anger, trustworthy, quick to show mercy and slow to condemn. Help us, Lord, to remain obedient to you, no matter the cost. This world needs Jesus, the Light of the world.
We thank you for those you have called into leadership within your church, both at home and across the globe. We lift up our elders and all those in ministry, asking that you protect them and strengthen them in their steadfastness. For those called, whether near or far, we pray for boldness, courage, wisdom, discernment and protection. May they be humble in their service and steadfast in their integrity, above reproach.
Above all, we ask that you be at the centre of every decision made, both by our leaders and by us, as we seek to further your kingdom here on earth. May your guidance lead us all in unity, wisdom and love. In your precious name we pray. Amen.
FRIDAY
Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Thank you, Father, that when we come to you in repentance, all things are made new. In Christ Jesus, we are given a fresh start, a brand new beginning. Help us to grasp the magnitude of this incredible truth – your grace upon grace. We rest in your forgiveness and rejoice that you are renewing us daily. Forgive us for the times we resist your Holy Spirit, for the moments we cling to our own understanding. Help each of us to remember that our past failures do not define us, though there may be consequences. It is your grace, mercy and forgiveness that truly redefine us.
May we in turn show your forgiveness, love and grace to others. Help us to set an example of Christ-like humility and mercy for our younger brothers and sisters in faith. We pray for many to come to faith and be transformed into new creations – those you draw to our church, our children and their children, our brothers and sisters, our wider family, friends, neighbours and colleagues. Dear Lord, come in convicting power and renew our hearts. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
SATURDAY
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Heavenly Father, we come before you in awe of the profound truth that, as true followers of Christ, we have died to ourselves. We have been crucified with Him, and it is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us. Help us to fully grasp the depth of what it means to have Christ dwelling within us. May this reality penetrate and shape our hearts, so we live not in fear, but in faith – trusting our Almighty God. We cry out to you to forgive us when we do not honour your name, when we ignore your voice, when we hide from you because of fear of man, fear of ridicule. Lord of all the earth, cause us to fear you our Holy God and yet, our Abba Father, motivate us to love and revere you as we should, to take off the masks we sometimes wear and be real before you and others so healing and wholeness can come.
We pray that you transform and empower us from the inside out to live for you so that we might share your love, and spread the greatest news the world has ever known. It only takes a spark to get a fire going. May we be fireworks.
SUNDAY
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6
We come before you with hearts full of gratitude, acknowledging your unwavering faithfulness, love and abundant blessings in the past. As we step into the unknown of a new year, we humbly seek your strength and courage. Lord, we ask for the wisdom to walk by faith, not by sight, trusting you in every aspect of our lives, even when the road ahead is unclear or fraught with uncertainty. Help us to fully trust in your perfect plan, knowing that you are in control and that you know what is best for us. We surrender our ambitions and desires into your hands, seeking your will above all. Grant us the strength to overcome every challenge we will face in this new year, and give us hearts that are sensitive to your voice, so we can follow where you lead. Open our eyes to the opportunities around us to share your love, grace, mercy and goodness with those we encounter. May our lives in 2026 be a reflection of your unwavering love and faithfulness. May everything we do, every decision we make, bring glory to your name. In the Almighty name of Jesus.
Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”