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…
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…
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…
New Beginnings by Justin Gray
