Prayers and Readings for the New Year

Almighty Father,   we pray Thee graciously to lead us   through the uncertainties of this new year   of our earthly pilgrimage. Protect us from the dangers of the way;   prepare us for the duties, the trials,   the joys, and sorrows that await us;   and grant that each change the year brings with it   may bring us nearer to thyself,   and to the eternal joy and rest   that await the faithful   in Thy blessed and glorious presence;   through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen. —Church of Scotland, 1952 Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed   in Thy presence, in Thy service, to Thy glory. Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains,   sanctifies, aids every hour, that I may not be one moment apart from Thee,   but may rely on Thy Spirit to supply every thought, speak in   every word, direct every step, prosper every work, build up   every mote of faith; and give me a desire to show forth Thy praise, testify Thy love,   advance Thy kingdom. I launch my bark [boat] on the unknown waters of this year,   with Thee, O Father, as my harbour;   Thee, O Son, at my helm;   Thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails. Give me Thy grace to sanctify me,   Thy comforts to cheer,   Thy wisdom to teach,   Thy right hand to guide,   Thy presence to stabilize,   Thy counsel to instruct,   Thy law to judge,   Thy presence to stabilize. May Thy fear be my awe,   Thy triumphs my joy. —”New Year,” in Valley of Vision O Love beyond Compare,   Thou art good when thou givest,   when thou takest away,   when the sun shines upon me,   when night gathers over me. Thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world,   and in love didst redeem my soul; Thou dost love me still,   in spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust. Thy 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. Thy goodness will be with me in the year ahead;   I hoist sail and draw up anchor,   With thee as the blessed pilot of my future as of my past. I bless thee that thou hast veiled my eyes to the waters ahead. If thou hast appointed storms of tribulation,   thou wilt 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 thy 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 thyself in me whether in comfort or trial,   as a chosen vessel meet always for thy use. —”Year’s End,” Valley of Vision What God ordains is always good; His will abideth holy. As He directs my life for me, I follow meek and lowly. God indeed in every need Doth well know how to shield me; To Him, then, I will yield me. What God ordains is always good. He never will deceive me; He leads me in His own right way, And never will He leave me. I take content What He hath sent; His hand that sends me sadness Will turn my tears to gladness. What God ordains is always good. His loving thought attends me; No poison can be in the cup That my Physician sends me. My God is true; Each morn anew I’ll trust His grace unending, My life to Him commending. What God ordains is always good. He is my Friend and Father; He suffers naught to do me harm, Though many storms may gather. Now I may know Both joy and woe, Some day I shall see clearly That He hath loved me dearly. What God ordains is always good. Though I the cup am drinking Which savors now of bitterness, I take it without shrinking. For after grief God grants relief, My heart with comfort filling And all my sorrow stilling. What God ordains is always good. This truth remains unshaken. Though sorrow, need, or death be mine, I shall not be forsaken. I fear no harm, For with His arm He shall embrace and shield me; So to my God I yield me. —“What God Ordains Is Always Good” by Samuel Rodigast, 1649-1708 Text From: THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941)