The 1st of January

Dear Lord,
So far this year I have been a model follower of Jesus. I haven’t offended anyone. I haven’t gossiped. I haven‘t said unkind things about anyone. I haven’t taken the LORD’s name in vain. Nor have I cursed or sworn profanities.

I haven’t lost my temper, become impatient or irritable. I haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or overindulgent.

And I haven’t been prideful, jealous, envious or lustful. 

But in a few minutes, God, I’m going to get up out of bed and start the day. And from then on, I’m going to need a lot more help.

So help me to follow you today. And throughout this year.  Help me to love wholeheartedly – my friends, my enemies, my neighbour, and even all those difficult people that get on my nerves.

Help me to live joyously. To celebrate life in all its fullness. To feast. To party. To dance as if no one is watching. Or as if everyone is watching. To laugh loudly. At myself. And with others. To not be a grumpy old man. To nip the meanness, and moaning, and criticizing in the bud. And replace them with a spirit of gratitude and generosity. To rejoice – not just in happy-clappy circumstancial way, but in a deep, soulful way that sets my spirit free.

And help me to follow and serve faithfully. To take time to listen to you. And to others through whom you speak. To go to the places you would send me, and spend time with the all those you send to me. To walk the walk and talk the talk. Faithfully.

And when I falter, fail and fall – which I will do, when I get out of bed and go into the new day and new year – remind me of your unchanging love for me. When I am not so resolute about my grand resolutions, reassure me of your grace. And when I forget, remind me whose I am. Yours. Forever and always. Knowing this makes my new year happy.