Here we are, starting a new year filled with possibility and potential. Maybe THIS will be the year I lose weight. Or learn a second language. Or stop making hopeless resolutions.
If past performance is any indication of future results, however, little will happen if I don’t pray for it (seems to me someone smart once said, “You have not because you ask not”).
So here are three prayers to pray for this coming year:
1) A Prayer by Matthew Henry, 1662-1714
To thee, O God, I give up myself, to be used and employed for thee. I desire to live no longer than I may do thee some service. Make what use of me thou pleasest, only let me obtain mercy of the Lord, to be found diligent, humble and faithful. O that the work of this year may be better done than that of the last, and my time more filled up; and that I may never grow weary of well doing.
To thee, O God, I give up myself, to be disposed of by thee as thou pleasest. I know not what the year may bring forth to me, or to my family. But welcome the holy will of God; and God, by his grace, make me ready for it. If it be the last year of my life, my dying year, may I but finish my course with joy; and farewell this world. Whatever afflictions may this year befall me, I desire none of them may move me from God and my duty, amen.
2) A Prayer by Charles de Foucauld, 1858-1916
Father, I abandon myself into your hands. Do with me whatever you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you. I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures. Into your hands I commend my spirit. I offer it to you with all the love that is in my heart. For I love you, Lord, and so want to give myself, to surrender myself into your hands, without reserve and with boundless confidence, for you are my Father. Amen.
3) A prayer by Bob Hostetler
Lord God, in this new year, give me grace to experience more of you, to learn your ways, to drink more deeply of your presence and power. Make me more fully yours, increase my devotion to you, make me more prayerful still, and more a person of integrity, a person of the Book, a person of the Presence, and a person of grace.
Please help me to walk through this coming year in faith, calmly and confidently seeking you and trusting you, making wise decisions, holding on to the right things, letting go of the right things, delegating the right things, ignoring the right things, taking a stand on the right things, and giving in on the right things.
Please keep me (and mine) as the apple of your eye, and hide us all under the shadow of your wings, in Jesus’ name, amen.
