A New Year's Prayer by Joyce Rupp
God, surprise us again.
When we miss the beauty and the joy of earth's goodness.
When we grow too accustomed to life's busyness.
When the goodness of others gets lost in the rush.
When our frailty outruns our strength.
When the hope in our heart fades away.
When the call to serve others loses its flavor.
When we search for the way home to you.
When loneliness pursues us.
When it seems the darkness will never give way to
the light.
When the ache of the world wears our compassion thin.
When the troubles of others seem more than we can carry.
When even you seem far away from us.
Walk closely with us, God.
As we strive to live our lives well.
As we enjoy the treasures we've found in the field
of faith.
As we continue to surrender ourselves to you.
As we journey into the unknown territory of a new year.
As we hurt in the process of loving our enemies.
As we learn to accept our weaknesses and our strengths.
As we open our hearts to the messengers you
send to us.
1As we give ourselves to the poor and the powerless.
As we keep searching for the truth.
As we try to live in the heart of the scriptures.
As we accept your constant love for us. seeks us out no matter where we are, how prepared we are, and what kind of headspace we are in. Merry Christmas!