As we prepare to celebrate New Year’s Day this coming Sunday, I am re-posting a New Year’s prayer that I wrote last year. I have formatted the prayer to be read responsively-leader speaks the plain text, congregation the bold, and everyone speaks the bold italics. As always, you are welcome to use this prayer in your own worship settings and adapt as desired.

Blessings to you in the new year!

– – – – – – – – – – – – –

God of new life,
God of life made new,

We begin this new year as we ended the last–
embraced by your spirit of love
your presence of peace
your gentle power.

We leave behind the old year in the knowledge that
Whatever we have done in the service of selfish desire;
Whenever we have participated in injustice;
However we have strayed from Jesus’ way;
You have forgiven us.

Lead us now into the abundant life of the new year.
Give us eyes to glimpse your presence in each moment.
Give us ears to hear the quiet promptings of your Spirit.
Give us hearts open to the joy and the pain of the lives that surround ours.

We set our feet
once again
on the way walked by Jesus.

These steps of peace may be difficult in a terrain that slopes toward violence.
These steps of justice may prove tiring as we walk against the  winds of injustice.
These steps of love may be painful with so much hatred to step over and bump up against.

Give us the wisdom
Give us the strength
to take these steps anyway.

Each day a new step.
Each step a faithful movement toward your kingdom.
Each step taken only by your grace
only in your power
our Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer.

Amen.