The following New Years prayer was first offered back in the 1700’s.  It is from the largely forgotten deposit of the Puritan Movement of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.  These people knew God and they certainly knew how to pray.  We can learn a lot from them. They are written in old english.  I have updated  a few outdated words and changed the Thee’s and Thou’s to make it more 2011.  However, they still have the feel of that era.   This prayer, along with many others, can be found in a book titled “The Valley of Vision”, by Arthur Bennet…

 Oh LORD,

A long life does not profit me except the days are spent

in Your presence,

In Your service,

for Your glory.

Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains,

sanctifies, and aids every hour,

that I may not be one moment apart from You.

May I rely on Your Spirit to

supply every thought,

speak every word,

direct every step,

prosper every work,

build up every ounce of faith.

 Give me a desire to

show forth Your praise,

testify of Your love and

advance Your kingdom.

I launch my ship on the unknown waters of this year,

with You, O Father, as my harbor,

You, O Son, at my helm,

You, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.

Guide me to heaven with

my lamp burning,

my ear open to Your calls,

my heart full of love,

my soul free.

 Give me Your grace to sanctify me,

Your comforts to cheer,

Your wisdom to teach,

Your right hand to guide,

Your counsel to instruct,

Your law to judge,

Your presence to stabilize.

May Your fear be my awe,

Your triumphs my joy.

If you found this prayer helpful you may also want to read this prayer:  A Christmas Prayer: Thank You for The Gift of All Gifts.  This prayer is appropriate for all seasons!

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