Creator, as we take a new look at the year ahead of us ... we ask you today to help all of us to work in harmony as we try to develop the North for all our people.

We each hold our own view of the future. A view that has been formed by personal experiences and the accumulated thoughts of a lifetime. Lord, give us the knowledge we need to do our work to the best of our ability. Guide us as we serve you and the people of our land. Let us rediscover the blessings we already have, such as the love of family and friends, the beauty of nature, and the comfort of our homes.

We ask you for forgiveness when we do wrong in our thoughts and words and Lord, we ask for your help in placing our biases and prejudices aside as we deliberate each day.

We ask for the Creator's guidance to find positive solutions to many of the issues we discuss and as we enter this New Year, let us look to find more and more reasons to celebrate and be thankful. Amen.