A Concord Pastor Comments: A Prayer for New Year's Eve

As we approach the end of the calendar year, I offer you this prayer with the hope that these words might help all of us walk gracefully into 2014.

Audio for this prayer

Let us pray...

God of all time,

it's the last day of 2013...

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

Where has the old year gone, Lord?
And how did it go?

And how did I go with you,
make my way with you, Lord,
these past twelve months?

I remember the times
we walked and talked together,
side by side,
you and I...

And I remember the times
when I somehow forgot
you were right by my side,
within my arm's reach...

And I remember, Lord, the times I tried
to pretend you just weren't there...

I remember the times you took delight
in my words and my work;
and I remember the times
I ignored and forgot you - though still you loved me
and in your mercy, forgave me...

Nothing I've done, Lord,
merits all you've given me,
all I've received:
all your love is grace,
an undeserved gift
from your heart to mine...

In return for all you've given me
I have so little to offer...

But there comes now a new year
and with it my prayer
to live a life more worthy
of all you've so freely given...

In this new year, Lord,
strengthen my resolve to be faithful,
deepen my trust in your presence
and make firm my hope in your promise,
for without your help
I know I will fail...

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

In this new year,
help me recognize and refuse
what's 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's genuine,
a thirst for what's holy,
a wisdom for discerning your gifts...

It's the last day of the old year, Lord...

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

Amen.