Whatever our goals and resolutions this year, may we sail forward with a single-eye to to the glory of Jesus Christ.
One of the best collection of prayers you’ll ever come across is “The Valley of Vision.” It is a wonderful book of short Puritan prayers and devotionals that are rich with imagery and saturated with the gospel. Below is a modified version of two prayers titled, ‘Year’s End’ and ‘New Year’ that I’ve woven together.
As we leave behind one year and enter the next, let’s hoist the sail of faith again! And as we do, lets dare to ask the Holy Spirit to fill it with power and send us onward.
O Love beyond Compare,
You are good when You give,
and when You take away,
when the sun shines upon me,
when night gathers over me.
You have loved me before the foundation of the world,
and in love did redeem my soul;
And You love me still,
in spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust.
Your goodness has been with me another year,
leading me through a twisting wilderness,
in retreat helping me to advance,
when beaten back making sure headway.
So I launch upon the unknown waters of this year,
with You, O Father, as my harbour
with You, O Son, at my helm,
with You, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.
Your goodness will be with me in the year ahead;
so I hoist sail and draw up anchor,
with You as the blessed pilot of my future as of my past.
I bless You that You have veiled my eyes to the waters ahead.
If You have appointed storms of tribulation, You will be with me in them;
If I have to pass through tempests of persecution and temptation, I shall not drown;
If I am to die, I shall see Your face the sooner;
If a painful end is to be my lot, grant me grace that my faith fail not;
If I am to be cast aside from the service I love, I can make no stipulation;
Only glorify Yourself in me, whether in comfort or trial, as a chosen vessel ready always for Your use.
