Prayer Poem For the new year

The text of an ancient Jewish prayer alongside a poem by Gustav Gottheil. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dear God,

I look out at the white snow in this below-zero place,

wearing my all-white, terry cloth-lined bathrobe to signify a fresh new slate.

The year is new

but most of my hopes and dreams have been with me forever.

I still want to follow in your footsteps

(you know how my own can falter sometimes)

and at the same time,

learn how to be a better person.

I still want corruption and violence to cease,

mental illness understood and treated,

and your peace to be accepted and taken in by all

and practiced by all.

Let your love light our way

and bring us out of the darkness.

 

The year 2012 was a very good year for me;

I didn’t realize there would ever be a year like that.

I didn’t want 2012 to end for this reason,

but I know that time marches on.

 

Lord, as I march forward in my life

give me clear direction for my new dreams

and while marching to a different drummer

still follow you.

I dedicate 2013 to your glory.

Amen.