|
wings
A New Year's prayer
Dear Lord,
I thank you for the gift of another year of life, for family, for old and new friends, for relatives, and even for those people who weren't always pleased with me last year.
I thank you for the gift of the past year because it gave me the opportunity to seek to be more like your Son, to watch my children mature, to see and experience joyful moments with Delphine, to meet and come to know new people and strengthen old relationships.
It was a year in which criticism from others made me realize that only you are perfect, while sometimes driving me to my knees.
It was a year in which I saw you bring victory out of defeat — bring the best out of people in the midst of life-threatening circumstances.
It was a time in which I saw those who had little give to those who lost all they had. It was a time in which the commonality of our existence as human beings was so vividly portrayed when the tsunami came, when Rita blew, and when Katrina brought devastation on shore. Yet, even as earthquakes broke open your earth, you did not let that completely swallow us, but you shone in those broken situations.
It was a time of wars and rumors of wars when we human beings could not settle our differences without killing or hurting each other. Yet somehow I continue to believe you are there working for shalom.
You were there with us as we pumped gasoline that cost way too much money. Yet we somehow learned to do without some luxuries and began to understand what is most precious.
I experienced great moments of worship that lifted me and others to the portals of heaven. You allowed me to sit with some who cried, and I watched as you wiped tears from their eyes and mine.
I thank you for the safe traveling mercies as many of us moved by cars, planes, buses, vans, and trains. It was a good year because through it all, you were with us.
And now, Lord, as we move toward the New Year, we have no clue what it shall bring. There could be more tsunamis, more hurricanes, more earthquakes, more wars, more crime, more disappointments, more people losing their jobs, more hurt and pain. I don't know what will come, but I do rejoice that your "eye is on the sparrow," and I know you watch over us.
I boldly ask that we may continue to sense your holy presence, your deep abiding love and care for us. I ask that our congregations experience renewal and revival that light up both community and church. I ask that pastors who are depressed be encouraged. I ask that laity discover gifts and give themselves in service to you. I ask that you help us look at the pain and hurt in our communities and respond as people empowered by you.
I ask that our light so shine this year that those to whom love is a stranger might see our good works of love and justice and be inspired to follow you. I ask that real peace, shalom, may come to the troubled spots of this world and to the people who have war raging within.
I ask that innovative, imaginative, and exciting ministries begin to explode throughout Holston Conference, throughout United Methodism, and through all of Christianity in a way that we can truly be people of personal piety and social holiness. I pray that we open ourselves to gifts and graces of people regardless of their ethnicity, gender, or physical condition. I pray that we would trust you more and build bridges rather than erect walls.
I pray that we would move toward the perfection you envision for us. I pray that we United Methodists may realize how blessed we are and share more of what you have given to us. I pray that our youth might find that we are more concerned about providing opportunities for them to know Christ than we are about the upkeep of a building. I pray that we can find ways to help our young adults truly know that we do love and want them in our churches — in leadership positions and most of all in our pulpits.
In closing, Lord ...
God of grace and God of glory, on thy people pour thy power; crown thine ancient church's story; bring her bud to glorious flower. Grant us wisdom; grant us courage, for the facing of this hour, for the facing of this hour.
Lo! The hosts of evil round us, scorn thy Christ, assail his ways! Fears and doubts too long have bound us; free our hearts to work and praise. Grant us wisdom; grant us cour- age, for the living of these days, for the living of these days.
Cure thy children's warring madness, bend our pride to thy control; shame our wanton, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul. Grant us wisdom; grant us courage, lest we miss thy kingdom's goal, lest we miss thy kingdom's goal.
Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore; let the search for thy salvation be our glory evermore. Grant us wisdom; grant us courage, serving thee whom we adore, serving thee whom we adore.
Amen.
top
|
|
Bishop James Swanson
Resident Bishop
Cover Story:
A New Year's Prayer
INSIDE
5 best web sites
Have a ball
National & World News
Back to The Call Home Page
|
|
