HomePoetryHow to Enter the New Year

How to Enter the New Year

young girl in winter wear
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.

Vinita Hampton Wright
Vinita Hampton Wrighthttp://www.loyolapress.com/authors/vinita-hampton-wright
Vinita Hampton Wright edited books for 32 years, retiring in 2021. She has written various fiction and non-fiction books, including the novel Dwelling Places and spirituality books Days of Deepening Friendship, The Art of Spiritual Writing, Small Simple Ways: An Ignatian Daybook for Healthy Spiritual Living, and, most recently, Set the World on Fire: A 4-Week Personal Retreat with the Female Doctors of the Church. Vinita is a spiritual director and continues to facilitate retreats and write fiction and nonfiction. She lives with her husband, two dogs, and a cat in Springdale, Arkansas.

9 COMMENTS

  1. 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.

  2. 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!

  3. 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.

  4. 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!

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

DOTMAGIS BLOGGERS

Loretta Pehanich
111 POSTS0 COMMENTS
Marina Berzins McCoy
137 POSTS0 COMMENTS
Tim Muldoon
127 POSTS25 COMMENTS

FEATURED