A Concord Pastor Comments: Monday Morning Offering: 1/4

Image: George Mendoza

Good morning, good God!

The big holidays are behind us, Lord,

and now the rest of January

and a whole new year lie ahead...

What will I make of the next 12 months, Lord,

and in the new year - what you will make of me?

You know the plans you have for me, Lord,

plans not for harm or woe

but for my well-being:

plans for a year full of hope...*

As this year begins, Lord,
let me in on some of your plans
and help me make them my own:
    mold me in your wisdom,
    straighten any selfish bent,
    and lead me to serve my neighbor...

When you call me to prayer and I come,

help me trust that you listen,

that you hear my every plea...

When I come looking for you, Lord,
show me your face and give light for my path:
direct my steps, day by day, hour by hour,
draw me to your heart and your truth...

Take away what keeps me away from you:
make smooth and straight the way
that leads me to your side...

Help me seek you with all my heart
and let nothing deter my desire to find you,
to rest in your presence,
to grow in your grace...

Lift me up out of myself and into your arms
and into the lives of those around me:
let me know the embrace of your strength,
the power of your love and your healing touch...

Be the Lord of my desires,
    of my wishes and dreams;
be the Lord of my priorities
    and my daily planner;
be the Lord of my work,
    my play and my rest...

Lord, make a time for us to meet every day,
a time to meet and talk
and keep me faithful to that time...

You never leave my side, Lord,
you shepherd my every step:
help me trust that when I seek you
I'll find the peace I long for,
the joy for which I thirst...

Give me the grace of a new beginning, Lord:
    make of this day, this week and this year
    a time to grow strong in your wisdom,
    in your grace, your peace and your love...

Amen.