Thank You, Lord, for Another Year

As 2013 comes to a close, I want to thank You, Lord, for all that I have experienced this year.  I thank You for the good, the bad, the ups, the downs, the trials, the tribulations, the triumphs, the joy, the pain, the tears, the smiles, the happiness, and the blessings – the countless, countless blessings.

I thank You, Lord, not only for the good things that I have been through, but also the heartaches.  You took what was sent to destroy me and turned it into a thousand blessings.  You took my broken pieces and made me whole again.  You remade me into what I am today.  I have never been so blessed! 

When I am sad, You are my joy.  When I am weak, You are my strength.  When I am troubled, You are my peace.  I am happy, because of You.  I am strong, because of You.  I have peace, because of You.  I am everything, because of You.  Without You, I am nothing.  Thank You.

The new year, like a new born child, is placed in our hands as the old year passes away.  The days, weeks, months, years we have to come are gifts from You.  They carry Your blessing.  Lord, may we welcome them with open arms, open minds, and open hearts.

I pray, Lord, that as this year is ending, that all the good in it remain with us and all that was harmful be left behind.

I pray that this new year is filled with Your kindness.  I pray that we are glad and rejoice in You all the days of our lives.  I pray that we gain wisdom of heart.  I pray that we respond to one another with love, Your love, in all circumstances.

I pray that you make me an instrument of Your peace.  Where there is hatred, let me sow love.  Where there is doubt, let me sow faith.  Where there is despair, let me sow hope.  Where there is darkness, let me sow light.  Where there is sadness, let me sow joy.

I pray that I may not seek so much to be loved as to love.  That I may not seek so much to be understood as to understand.  That I may not seek so much to consoled as to console.  For it is in giving that we receive. 

Lord, I pray that you continue to mold me like the potter molds the clay, into what You will me to be.  I pray that I follow the path You have carefully laid for my life.

Lord, in the midst of life’s uncertainties in the days ahead, assure us of the certainty of Your unchanging love.  I pray that we turn to You for the stability and comfort we will need.  I ask that You help us not to lose our way in the midst of life’s temptations and the pull of our stubborn self-will.  Help us have the courage to do what is right in Your sight, regardless of the cost.

As I look back over this past year, I thank You, Lord, for Your goodness – far beyond what I have ever deserved. 

I thank You, Lord, for the promise and hope of this new year.  I look forward to it with expectancy and faith.

All these things I ask and praise You for, in Jesus precious name.  Amen.