Greetings to all and a Happy New Year as well!
As we begin the new year, I
wanted to share a prayer I came across in my reading for today. It's by William Barclay and is found in "A Barclay Prayer Book." Though
it was not written with the New Year in mind, it struck me as the one I
wanted to pray for myself as this year begins. I thought I might offer
it to you as
well, since he so beautifully expresses many of the
ongoing desires of a Christian's heart. Enjoy.
"Give us this night, O God, as we worship you:
Your truth to tell us what we ought to believe and what we ought to do, Your strength to make us able to face the things which by ourselves we cannot do; Your love that we may love you as you have first loved us, and may love our fellow men and women as you love them.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord Jesus, you were tempted; help us when we are tempted.
When we are tempted, help us:
Always to remember those who love us and trust us and believe in us, and whose hearts would be broken if we brought disgrace upon ourselves; Never to do anything which would bring us regret, remorse and shame to follow it; Never to do anything which we would have to hide, and about which we should be ashamed if others should know; Never to do anything which would injure anyone else; Always to remember that whatever we say or do, you hear and see it.
Save us from ever being carried away by the heat, or the impulse, or the
passion of the moment, and so forgetting the consequences of the things we do.
Help us never to disobey our conscience and never to do anything which would take away our self-respect.
Help us to make:
Our
pleasure such that we would never wish to hide it; Our work such that we never need to be ashamed of it; Our conduct to others such that we will never regret it.
At all times keep:
Our thoughts pure and our words true; Our actions honorable and our bodies clean.
Help us so to live that we can take everything in life and show it to you.
O heavenly Father, in whom we live and move and have our being, we humbly pray Thee so to govern and guide us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our daily life we may never forget
you, but remember that we are ever walking in your sight: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, of Your goodness give us your love to inspire us, your Spirit to guide us, and your power to protect us. And in Your mercy receive us, now and ever. Amen."
May His richest blessings be upon you as you enter this new year. And may all the above be true of you.
In His Service, Pastor Jeff
