Pause for Prayer: THURSDAY 12/28

A new year begins in just a few days

and I’m thinking, Lord,

about beginning 2017 as best I can

- and with your help…

If there’s one thing I’m sure of

it’s this:

I can’t count on myself

to make the changes I need to make

in my life.

Only with your help, Lord,

will I change and grow,

only with your help…

You are Lord of

freely given pardons,

second chances,

clean slates,

fresh starts

and new beginnings

- and I need all of the above

      as I begin a new year…

Most of all, Lord:

refresh and restore my hope

that, indeed, I can make

a new beginning, a fresh start,

and that you’ll give me

the second or second thousandth chance

I need to start again,

to live as I truly want to live,

to do what I truly want to do,

to love as I truly want to love,

to pray as I truly need to pray…

Don’t let my disappointment over

past, failed attempts

at pledging good intentions

keep me from trusting

that with your help

I can do, I can accomplish,

I can realilze my heart’s desires

and live in peace

according to your word…

So, make me modest in my promises

in the new year just ahead;

let my new beginning be reasonable,

my intentions pure and generous;

my efforts fueled by grace

and my success guaranteed by your grace…

Help me know, Lord, in my heart of hearts,

what you would have me gladly resolve

and follow through on 

in the year that looms ahead...

Sharpen my attention and my focus

and whatever else, Lord, 

I truly need to work on

in the twelve months just ahead…

Be the Lord of my new year

and help me live it a day at a time,

each day filled  with your mercy,

your freely given pardon

and all the second chances,

clean slates and fresh starts

that come from your gentle hand…

Hear my prayer today, Lord, at the end of 2016

and in the new year ready to commence,

a year of grace, a gift from you…

O Lord, Jesus Christ, you call me in your mercy

to your freely given  pardon,

second chances,

clean slates,

fresh starts

and new beginnings

- and for all this I give you thanks…

January 1 will be the day that you make, Lord:

bless us and keep us as a new year dawns

and I strive once again

to walk in your light, your love and your peace….

Amen.

 

 
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