‘Tis God’s New Year!

Today, with a grateful heart, let us wave at the old year about to go and with open arms, welcome the New Year!

Thank you, God-blessed 2022!

Happy, happy God-blessed 2023 to us all!!!

May these prayers (from guideposts.org) accompany you all through your journey through this New Year!

No need to worry. Elizabeth Searle Lamb reminds us.

Let us believe every New Year is God’s new year!

Her prayer:

“I believe that I enter a glorious new year, to be filled with prayer and praise, with service to God and mankind, with inspired creative activity.

I believe that God’s presence goes with me wherever I shall go this year, by train or car or boat, slowly paced on foot, or high in air.

I believe His love is shining in my body, His wisdom guides my mind, His peace fills me with poise, His strength is ever at my call.

Oh, I believe that this is God’s new year.”

For this year, let us all “turn to the Source of all energy, God’s energy deep within us” (Philippians 2:13)

“Heavenly Father, refresh my spirit. Give me the strength and enthusiasm to get ready for the new year.”

May these words of St. Teresa of Avila also be in our hearts always:

“Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you. All things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things, whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.”

And this prayer for our family, shared by Guidepost contributor, Rick Hamlin:

“Our Father God, parent of all children, father to all parents, be with us, and in particular with our families.

You know our needs, for health, happiness, wholeness, for shelter, safety, solace, for the overworked and unemployed among us.

Mend the rifts between us, restore the lost ones to us. And let nothing come between us and You, Creator of our universal family of humankind.”

May we believe, trust, and surrender as Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916) prayed:

“Father, I abandon myself into your hands. Do with me whatever you will.

Whatever you may do, I thank you. I am ready for all, I accept all.

Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures. Into your hands I commend my spirit. I offer it to you with all the love that is in my heart.

For I love you, Lord, and so want to give myself, to surrender myself into your hands, without reserve and with boundless confidence, for you are my Father. Amen.”

May the Lord also remind us of St. Francis of Assisi’s song, and for this year again, ask the Lord to make us “the instrument of His peace, His love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; despair, hope; darkness, light; and sadness, joy.”

Let us also welcome the New Year with full faith, love, hope and gratitude and remember that “Thus far, the Lord helped us.” (1 Sam 7:12)

In the past, through poverty/wealth/sickness/health; at home/abroad, on land/on sea; in honor, dishonor, perplexity, joy, in trial, triumph, in prayer, in temptation, “thus far hath the Lord helped us!”

From now on, into the future- let us all stay in courage and believe, with grateful confidence, that “He who hath helped thee thus far will help thee all thy journey- through “ still distances to be traversed, more trials, joys, temptations, triumphs; more prayers, more answers; more toils, more strength; more fights, more victories.”   

For this New Year, for you all: this Aaronic Blessing (Numbers 6:24-26):

“May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”