Are you looking for the perfect words to usher in the new year with hope and blessing? Discover a collection of inspiring New Year’s prayers for individuals, families, and church communities.

A PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR

by Sarah Téibo

Gracious Father,

We thank you for the gift of a new year — giving us a sense of new beginnings, and a fresh start filled with hope and new possibilities. As we set our intentions, we place our trust in your goodness and faithfulness, knowing you’re always at work in our lives. Guide us in the year ahead, shaping our hearts and aligning our steps with your purposes.

We lift up children and families facing deep uncertainty and insecurity due to poverty. May they encounter your love in tangible ways this year and find hope and support through their local church. Stir our hearts, Lord, to be your hands and feet, bringing your light to a world in need.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• You can learn more about Sarah Téibo’s faith journey and healing from cancer in her interview with Compassion UK: ‘It’s gonna be ok’ – meet singer Sarah Teibo | Compassion UK

HAPPY NEW YEAR PRAYER

by Maria Rodrigues

Dear Lord,

As we begin a new year, we thank you that you are a God of new starts and endless grace. We ask your forgiveness, O Lord, for the ways we’ve not appreciated your many blessings in our lives and for all the times we’ve grumbled about our lot.

Give us grace to approach this year with hearts of gratitude and generosity towards others, recognising that true happiness can only be found in you.

Bless the children served by Compassion and let them know how deeply they’re loved. Surround them with joy, hope, and opportunities to grow into all you have created them to be.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

• Maria Rodrigues has been a presenter at Premier Christian radio since 2004. She now hosts her own show Woman to Woman and has kindly shared this new year prayer about finding true happiness.

PRAYER FOR THE YEAR AHEAD

by Kemi Mesafint

Compassion Graduate, Kemi Mesafint, knows all about facing uncertainty and growing in resilience through God’s grace and support from loving mentors.

Kemi grew up in extreme poverty and was then orphaned in his teens. He says it was God’s love, shown to him through the staff and volunteers at his local church’s Compassion project, that him to keep going.

Read Kemi’s amazing story here, and see all he’s doing to inspire young people in Ethiopia who face similar challenges to his own childhood.

When asked to share a prayer for the year ahead, Kemi wrote:

Dear Friends,

As we embrace the promise of a New Year, I invite you to join with me in prayer for the children and youth of Ethiopia, and for all children and youth who are struggling with poverty and displacement in so many countries around the world.

Pray for their hearts to be filled with resilience, faith, and an unshakable hope that will carry them through life’s challenges, by the power of the Holy Spirit through the incredible love of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let’s ask God to guide and strengthen all those striving to bring light to their lives, turning dreams into realities. Let’s pray each child and young person will have assurance of God’s plan for their lives, and of God’s presence with them in all the highs and lows they face.

May God’s peace and love overflow in our collective efforts, inspiring change and igniting a brighter future for those who need it most.

Thank you so much for joining with me in prayer.

You can help build a child’s resilience and hope. Sponsor a child today.

NEW YEAR'S DAY PRAYER

A prayer for the morning of New Year’s Day so you can commit the year ahead to our Loving Father God.

Heavenly Father,

On this New Year’s morning, we rest in gratitude for your presence, dear Lord, and how you guided us through the old year. Thank You for the blessings of loved ones, the joy of Christmas, and the gift of a new day as we step into a new season.

Strengthen our hearts by your Holy Spirit, renewing us with hope and peace. Help us reflect on the past with humility and embrace the future with faith, trusting in your plans for the year ahead. May we carry Your light into each moment, sharing your love with those around us.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

NEW YEAR PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY

by Cathy Madavan

Heavenly Father,

At the start of this new year, we pause to give thanks for your unconditional love and generosity towards us, and we ponder once again the blessing of being adopted into your global family.

We pray particularly for churches around the world as they partner with Compassion to serve and support families facing significant challenges. In your mercy Lord, come alongside them as they share your love, encouragement and practical support, and may we too seek to reflect your heart towards others in the coming year.

Amen

• Cathy Madavan is a speaker and writer, who seeks to be a voice of encouragement, combining ‘hard-earned wisdom’ with practicality, compassion and humour. She is also on the Spring Harvest planning group. Cathy lives in Bristol with her husband, Mark, who’s a church leader and they have two daughters in their twenties.

NEW YEAR PRAYER FOR CHILDREN

Heavenly Father,

We lift up children everywhere, each one precious in your sight, made in your image, and full of potential. We thank you for the gift of childhood — a time of wonder, learning, and possibility — but we also recognise how vulnerable children are, especially those living in poverty. Protect them, Lord, from harm and despair. Surround them with people who will love, nurture, and empower them to grow into all you’ve created them to be.

May every child know they’re deeply loved and fully seen by you. Give them hope for brighter futures, strength to dream big, and the courage to step boldly into the plans you have for their lives.

Amen.

NEW YEAR BLESSING FOR THE CHURCHES EVERYWHERE

by Lyn Weston

Gracious God,

We thank you for your abundant love, poured into our hearts to overflow and bless others.

We ask for your blessing for this new year for our church partners worldwide as they share Christ’s light, bringing hope to children and families in need. Unite us as one body, building your Kingdom together — across nations and communities.

May churches here and abroad be strengthened to serve, share the gospel, and offer practical care with love and compassion. Bless us all, Lord, so we may bless others, reflecting your glory in all we do.

Amen.

• Lyn Weston is Compassion’s Senior Director of Partnerships. She inspires and engages UK churches, showing them how to support our local church partners worldwide. These partners reach out to their communities with the love of Jesus in tangible ways. Together, we can break the cycle of poverty and bring God’s hope for a brighter future.

A PRAYER FOR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

by Victor Omosebi

Loving Father,

As we enter a new year, we commit our ways to you, seeking change through your strength, not our own. Guard us from false paths that distract us from you, reminding us that only your promises truly satisfy. Thank you for your forgiveness that sets us free and allows us to start afresh in you.

We lift up children and young people living in poverty, who face so many barriers and discouragements. Strengthen them in their innermost being, Lord, and may mentors in local churches inspire and support them. Help them grow in confidence and perseverance, assured of your unshakable love.

Amen.

• Victor Omosebi is part of Warehouse Worship — a dynamic collective of musicians and singers from the UK who create transformative worship experiences that bring people closer to God.

NEW YEAR'S EVE PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

As we bid farewell to the past year, we thank you for your faithfulness through every season. Thank you for the blessings, the lessons, and your presence in both our joys and challenges.

As we step into the next year, we place our hopes and plans in your hands. Help us lean not on our own understanding, but to be guided by your Word and your Holy Spirit living in us. Fill us with peace and purpose; guide us by your wisdom and love. Help us to trust you in all that lies ahead, knowing that you promise to walk with us every step of the way.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What is the best prayer for the New Year?

The best prayer for the New Year is one that reflects your heart and speaks to your circumstances. Whether you’re seeking guidance, expressing gratitude, or asking for strength, choose a prayer that resonates with you. You can use the pre-written prayers above or speak to God in your own words.

What is the first prayer of the New Year?

There’s no single “first prayer” you should say, but a great way to start the year is by giving thanks for God’s faithfulness in the past and asking for his guidance in the future. Prayers focusing on gratitude, reflection, and hope set a positive tone for the year ahead.

How can I pray for blessings in the New Year? 

Praying for blessings in the New Year starts with a heart of gratitude for what God has already provided. Ask him to align your desires with his will and to give you wisdom, strength, and peace. True blessings come from walking closely with God and seeking his plans for your life. Remember, prosperity isn’t just material — it’s about experiencing God’s love, grace, and purpose.

If you would like to find a prayer for peace or a prayer for hope, we have sourced lots of Bible verses to act as inspiration for your daily prayer and devotional time with God.

You could even use our free gratitude journal templates to encourage powerful prayers of faith to our dear God who knows our hearts and understands all our needs, and the needs of the children served by our local church partners around the world.

If you’d like to receive regular email updates about our ministry, you can get a little compassion in your inbox every month by signing up to Prayer and Stories below.

See how sponsorship enables you to partner with a local church and empower a child to receive all they need to overcome poverty and thrive: