Morning prayer · 1 January

Into your hands again

A small boat with sail set, steered by an unseen hand resting lightly on the tiller, heading toward an open horizon.

Lord, I want to put my life into your hands again: what’s past and what’s still to come. I leave the past with you, to forgive and to bless. I trust you with the future. Put my life in order, Lord. You know what I could become. I’m not asking so much for a happy life as for one that counts in bringing in your Kingdom. Steer my life to that great purpose, Lord Jesus. Above all my own choices, you choose for me. Don’t let any hesitation or reluctance of mine stop you doing with me, by me and through me all that your power can do to ease the pain of the world and lift it a little more into the light. Amen.

My times are in Your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.

Psalm 31:15 (BSB)

Adapted from Lucy Rider Meyer, Some Little Prayers (1907), in plain words. The verse is from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). Drawing: Mutter.