NIGHT PRAYER: Saturday 12/30

 

Through the past year, Lord,
    we've nursed grudges and resentments
    and carried backpacks of anger
        weighing heavy on our shoulders,
    keeping us apart from family and neighbors,
        colleagues and classmates
           - and even old friends...

Now we find ourselves 

    just hours away from a new year

and we say we want a fresh start,

    a second chance, a clean slate 

- but are we willing, are we resolved

    to do what we must 

       to begin anew? 

 

Or will we be content, once again,

    to carry last year's burdens

    right through New Year's Eve

        and into 2024?

Will we cling to bitterness and suspicion
    as we sing our Auld Lang Syne?

Will we begin another year

    in the shadows of mistrust,

with chips on our shoulders,

    our hearts burdened

        with the weight of selfish pride?

If we haven't time to mend all this
    before tomorrow's midnight
then help us resolve in 2024
    to be the first 

       to take the steps
        toward making peace
            where peace has long been wanting...

 

Help each of us move forward

    to forgive the ones who've hurt us

and seek pardon

    of any we've offended...

Give each of us the honesty,

the courage to acknowledge 

    where we've been wrong

    or hasty in judgment, 

    quick to lash out,

    hostile and unkind,

    cold and unfriendly,

    conceited and proud,

too busy to notice, to care, 

   to reach out and to heal,

   to mend, to repair and restore

      what we've broken and treated poorly...

Help us, in the new year ahead,

    to listen for your voice, 

    to hear your word,

    to follow where you lead,

    to do what is good,

    to love what is just

    and to walk humbly by your side...

 

We need your help here, Lord,

    because up until now, sadly,

    we've not managed to do this on our own...

Help us, Lord, we pray, make all things new:

    within us, among us, and round us

    through our thoughts and words and deeds

        in the new year just ahead...

Protect us, Lord while we're awake

    and watch over us while we sleep

that awake, we might keep watch with you

    and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

New Beginnings  by Justin Gray

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