“…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

A prayer for the new year:

“O SPIRIT OF GOD,
help my infirmities,
when I am pressed down with a load of sorrow,
perplexed and knowing not what to do,
slandered and persecuted,
made to feel the weight of the cross,
help me, I pray.
If you see in me
any wrong thing encouraged,
any evil desire cherished,
any delight that is not your delight,
any habit that grieves you,
any nest of sin in my heart,
then grant me the kiss of your forgiveness,
and teach my feet to walk to the way of your commandants.

Deliver me from carking* care,
and make me a happy, holy person;
Help me to walk that separated life with firm and brave step,
and to wrestle successfully against weakness;
Teach me to laud, adore and magnify you, with the music of heaven
and make me a perfume of praiseful gratitude to you.
I do not crouch at your feet as a slave before a tyrant,
but exult before you as a son with a father.
Give me power to live as your child in all my actions,
and to exercise sonship by conquering self.
Preserve me from the intoxication that comes of prosperity;
Sober me when I am glad with a joy that comes not from you.
Lead me safely on to the eternal kingdom,
not asking whether the road be rough or smooth.
I request only to see the face of him I love,
to be content with bread to eat, with raiment to be put on,
if I can be brought to your house in peace.”

*carking: noxious or corroding worry.

As we run up against our weakness in living the life of faith, let us not despair. May we instead, turn to Jesus who alone can supply what we need.

Grace & Peace,
Steve

Adapted from: The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, Ed. Arthur Bennet