Listener prayers for the New Year

MARY REICHARD, HOST: Today is Wednesday, December 29th. Good morning! This is The World and Everything in It from listener-supported WORLD Radio. I’m Mary Reichard.

NICK EICHER, HOST: And I’m Nick Eicher.

Time now for scripture readings for the new year. Today, selections from the book of Daniel, Paul’s letter to the Colossians, and from the book of Psalms.

BRAGG: Hello, my name is Dan Bragg. And as a Christian school administrator at Calvary Christian in Ohio, I want all Christians and the church to live out what I work hard to teach, and respond to the Christian story with Ephesians 5:15. Be very careful then, how you live, not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand the Lord's will. Not drunk, but filled with the Holy Spirit.

JACKSON: My name is Brett Jackson and I'm reading 1 Corinthians 10:13. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common demand. God is faithful and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

VARNER: Adrian Varner reading Romans 8:31- 39. What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died, more than that, who was raised to life, is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution, or famine or nakedness or danger, or sword? As it is written, for your sake, we face death all day long. We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the president nor the future, nor any powers, neither height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

WORLD Radio transcripts are created on a rush deadline. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of WORLD Radio programming is the audio record.