December 31, 2017

 

A New Year’s Prayer

By Stephen A. Macchia

Throughout the New Year 2018, may the Lord grant you the courage and strength to…

Dream more
Complain less
Listen more
Talk less
Love more
Argue less

Forgive more

Divide less

Hope more

Fear less
Relax more
Worry less

Help more

Harm less

Believe more

Doubt less
Play more
Work less
Focus more
Distract less
Pray more
Fret less
Sing more
Shout less
Be more
Strive less
Give more
Take less
Live more
Stress less
Rest more
Hurry less
Read more
Noise less
Trust more
Control less

And, may the Lord bless and protect you,

may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you;

may he be gracious to you, show you his favor, and give you his peace,

and may you open-heartedly receive and open-handedly offer to all who cross your path the loving gift of friendship and grace,

granted generously to you from the Triune God, the Almighty Father, the Beloved Son Jesus, and the Empowering Holy Spirit,

throughout each day of 2018 and forevermore. Amen.