If you’re reading this, you lived to see the new year. This is no small matter! Your life makes a difference in the universe, whether or not you embrace your God-given power. May this prayer accompany your initial steps into the future.
God of all time,
help us enter the New Year quietly,
thoughtful of who we are to ourselves and to others,
mindful that our steps make an impact
and our words carry power.
May we walk gently.
May we speak only after we have listened well.
Creator of all life,
help us enter the New Year reverently,
aware that you have endowed
every creature and plant, every person and habitat
with beauty and purpose.
May we regard the world with tenderness.
May we honor rather than destroy.
Lover of all souls,
help us enter the New Year joyfully,
willing to laugh and dance and dream,
remembering our many gifts with thanks
and looking forward to blessings yet to come.
May we welcome your lavish love.
May we cast off the small, vindictive god our fears have made.
May the grace and peace of Christ bless you now and in the days ahead.
Hear our prayer O Lord. Amen.
I love this inspiring prayer – so much so that I am using it daily with just a few modifications that make it more personal to me, Changing the pronoun from us to me, and may to help me and New Year to this day, It becomes a perfect companion to the examen, Thank you for your insight .
Vinta,
Thank you for your reflection and blessing. Both are inspiring Christmas gifts, and I have shared them with my family.
May we all listen with gentle and forgiving hearts and speak words of inspiration and affirmation in the days and nights of the coming year.
Christmas Blessings,
Thank you for this prayer
I too when to express my
Gratitude for this inspirational prayer.
I will copy it and put it up on my wall.
Thank you!
Thank you, Vinita. I will use this prayer in the days ahead. Sometimes I forget that my life does make a difference.
Também gostei e copiei para ler sempre.
Maravilhosas palavras.
Feliz Novo Ano para todos e todas que fazem parte do Ignacian Spirituality.
Thank you for the beautiful prayers.
Thank you, Vinita. That last line is an epiphany: I shall be reflecting on on it this year.
Vinita, I always feel as if your reflections are written just for me! Many others seem to share that same feeling, as evidenced by the lovely replies that have been left for you. Thank you for this prayer. Many blessings in the new year.
Thank you Vinita for this prayer. I have copied it to my journal. Please keep up the good work your writings are truly inspirational. Thanks
Thank you Vinita for this beautifully simple prayer. This will keep my heart in the gratitude mode throughout this year. Blessings to you and your family!
Thanks dear Vinita for sharing these beautiful words of prayer. I wrote it on the first page of my agenda that I may remember to reflect on the beauty of the Lord, His love and care for me as well as be a blessing to others.
What a beautiful, gentle, and encouraging reminder to live faithfully with all we are and who we are.
Vinita, I will use this prayer throughout the year. Thank you for sharing your heart and soul with the world.
Vinita, you have such a beautiful way of expressing your thoughts. I especially appreciate the line: “May we welcome your lavish love.” God’s love is lavish but I’ve never thought of that adjective previously. Thank you!