Pause for Prayer: FRIDAY 12/30

A new year begins in just a few days

    and I’m praying, Lord,

to begin 2023 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.

Only with your help, Lord,

    will I change and grow and turn my heart around

    - only with your help…

You're the Lord of

    freely given pardons,

    second chances,

    clean slates,

    fresh starts

    and new beginnings

- and I'm gonna 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 hundredth chance I need

        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

keep me from trusting that with your help 

    I can do, I can accomplish,

    I can realize my heart’s true desires

    and live in peace with all, 

        faithful to your word…

So, make me modest in my pledges, Lord:

    let my new beginning be reasonable,

    my intentions pure and generous;

    my efforts led by your Spirit

    and my success the fruit of your grace…

Show me, Lord, in my heart of hearts,

    what you would have me resolve;

help me persevere and follow through

        in the year that lies ahead...

Help me live the new year just one 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 fall from your heart and hand...

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

    bless me and keep me as a new year dawns

and I strive once again to walk in your light, 

    in your love and in your peace….

Amen.

Tweet   

SUBSCRIBE HERE!