A New Year's Prayer

Lord, we’re grateful for the opportunity to start a new year. We ask that you might speak to us in this new year, providing clear direction. We trust that you might do great things through us, and we know that means that you will do great things within us as you work through us. Sift us, that we might be

Less prideful, more humble

Less envious, more respectful

Less skeptical, more trustful

Less served, more serving

Less frustrated, more joyful

Less fearful, more faithful

Less settling, more risk-taking

Less taking, more giving

Less harsh, more gentle

Less rebutting, more listening

Less comfortable, more courageous

Less anxious, more peaceful

Less divided, more committed

Less regretful, more contented

Less resentful, more empathetic

Less cynical, more hopeful

Less judgemental, more understanding

Less chattery, more truthful

Less desireful, more grateful

Less complacent, more compassionate

Less shy, more engaging

Less timid, more bold

Less distracted, more focused

Less apathetic, more passionate

Less anger, more self-disciplined

Less greedy, more generous

Less self-centered, more loving

Less rushed, more patient

Less crass, more kind

Less wasteful, more intentional

Less busy, more productive

Less task-oriented, more relational

Less over-confident, more willing to learning

Less like our past, more like Jesus

Amen.