The following prayer is a New Year’s prayer spoken by a friend of mine in an HOCC Bible Class…I hope you find it to be a blessing.
At Year End
We remember now, Lord,
our year gone by—
a year of loss
of separation
of disappointment.
A year of not being
our true selves,
but less.
A year of lost
opportunity
to show kindness
to offer love
to provide forgiveness
to bestow comfort.
We ask your forgiveness
now, Lord.
But we also remember now,
Lord,
our year gone by—
a year of
celebration,
joy,
comfort,
encouragement
and hope.
A year of victories
large and small
where we heard
your voice
and saw your face
if only for a
brief moment.
We pour out our thanks
now, Lord.
We face now a new year, Lord.
We know not
what it will bring.
Whether clouds of doubt
or sunshine of clarity;
whether deep grief
or unimagined joy;
whether steep hills of
challenge
or green valleys of rest.
Whether days of anxiety
or weeks of calm.
We ask you now, Lord,
to be in each day
each step
each thought
each action
each endeavor.
We ask you now, Lord,
for a glimpse of
your love
your care
your guidance
your providence
for a touch
a smile
a surprise
to remind us again
and again
and again
that you are
ever present with us.
And that you call us
to hear your voice
to follow after you
and to pour ourselves
out in service
to each other.
We give you, Lord,
our year past.
We give you, Lord,
our days ahead.
For we can do
no more
and
no less.
Highland Oaks Church of Christ
December 31, 2006