A New Year's Prayer

I found this prayer by Billy Graham on his web site.  I have changed the pronouns to make it personal.

My Father and my God, as I stand at the beginning of this new year I confess my need of Your presence and Your guidance as I face the future.

I have hopes and expectations for the year that is ahead of me—but You alone know what it holds for me, and only You can give me the strength and the wisdom I will need to meet its challenges. So help me to humbly put my hands into Your hand, and to trust You and to seek Your will for my life during this coming year.

In the midst of life’s uncertainties in the days ahead, assure me of the certainty of Your unchanging love.

In the midst of life’s inevitable disappointments and heartaches, help me to turn to You for the stability and comfort I will need.

In the midst of life’s temptations and the pull of my stubborn self-will, help me not to lose my way but to have the courage to do what is right in Your sight, regardless of the cost.

And in the midst of my daily preoccupations and pursuits, open my eyes to the sorrows and injustices of this hurting world, and help me to respond with compassion and sacrifice to those who are friendless and in need. May my constant prayer be that of the ancient Psalmist: “Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end” (Psalm 119:33).

I pray for this nation and its leaders during these difficult times, and for all those who are seeking to bring peace and justice to this dangerous and troubled world. I pray especially for Your protection on all those who serve in our armed forces, and I thank You for their commitment to defend my freedoms, even at the cost of their own lives. Be with their families also, and assure them of Your love and concern for them.

Bring this divided nation together, and give me a greater vision of what You would have me to be. Your Word reminds me that “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12).

As I look back over this past year I thank You for Your goodness to me—far beyond what I have deserved. May I never presume on Your past goodness or forget all Your mercies to me, but may they instead lead me to repentance, and to a new commitment to make You the foundation and center of my life this year.

And so, my Father, I thank You for the promise and hope of this new year, and I look forward to it with expectancy and faith. This I ask in the name of my Lord and Savior, who by His death and resurrection has given me hope both for this world and the world to come.

Amen