Night prayer for a New Year...

As we approach the end of the calendar year,
these words might help us walk gracefully into 2008...

Good Lord,
it is the evening of the year...

Only a few days left in this old year
which seemed so new,
not-so-long ago...

Where has the old year gone, Lord?
How did it go?
And how did I go with you, Lord,
these past twelve months?

I remember the times
we walked and talked as one,
you and I...

And I remember the times
when I forgot, somehow,
that you were always by my side...

I remember the times when you took delight
in my words and my work,
and I remember the times I ignored and forgot you
while still
you loved and forgave me...

Nothing I have done, Lord,
merits all you have given me:
your love is grace and pure gift...

In return I offer so little
and I have so little to offer...

But there comes a new year, Lord,
and with it my zealous resolve
to become more worthy
of all you so freely give me!

In this new year, Lord,
make strong my resolve to be faithful,
make deep my trust in your presence
and make sure my hope in your promise,
for without your help
I will fail...

Lord, you offer me only
what is true and pure,
good and just, strong and graced...

In this new year, help me to recognize
what is false, cheap and sham...

Help me to settle for nothing less
than what comes from your heart and hand...

Nourish me, Lord:
give me a hunger for what is genuine,
a thirst for what is holy,
a wisdom for discerning your gifts...

It is the evening of the old year, Lord...

Shake from my heart what has no place there
and wake my heart
to the gift of your grace
at the dawn of a new year...

Amen.