A new year begins on Monday, Lord
and I’m praying I’ll begin 2024
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…
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 hear your word and follow you,
to live as I truly want to live,
to do what I know you call me to do,
to love as I truly want to be loved
and to pray as I truly need to pray…
Don’t let my regret 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…
Make me modest in my pledges, Lord:
let my new beginning be reasonable,
my intentions pure and generous;
my efforts guided by your Spirit
and my success be the fruit of your grace…
Show me, Lord, in my heart of hearts,
what you’d have me resolve;
help me persevere and follow through
in the year that lies ahead…
Help me live the new year
one day at a time,
each day filled with
your mercy,
your mercy,
with 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,
help me live and keep it in your grace and peace;
bless and keep me as a new year dawns
and I pledge again to walk in your light…
