Prayer at a New Year

     O Lord, there has been much work done in the past year.  May last year’s work not be in vain, but bear fruit into other new years.  May last year’s labor be a foundation for the coming year’s work.  We know that we work in the corner of a much larger house, a house that is being constructed year after year.  A house whose completion date is not known to us, but only to You, the Master Foreman, as you work all things for good.

    O Lord, let not this past year be wasted.  May our work mean something for future times.  It’s not that we did something that You couldn’t - only that You said we could.  And we are grateful You let us participate in Your work.

    O Lord, may last year’s work prove faithful and true, not because we are exceptionally extraordinary, but because your grace allowed us to be.  The grace that made our labor true is the same grace that set us to work in the first place.  And it’s the same grace that drew us into the house to begin with.  By this grace we labor on into another year.  And may this coming year’s work not be in vain.  Amen.