End of Year Prayer

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. --1 Peter 1:3-7 ESV

Father, you are good, faithful, and true. This last year held a wide array of emotions in my heart. Joy, pain, love, happiness, and sadness.... You were with me through it all. Continue to deepen my affections for you. In fun days with my family, in days of disappointment and frustration, in all things, you have remained trustworthy, kind, and sovereign. Not once did you withhold you presence, grace, love, or goodness from me. 

Thank you Father for enduring with me through solemn days and meeting me in the hard places. I had health issues, friends who lost loved ones, and I mourned with friends who received difficult news. In both good and bad I praise you for walking with me and being a God who knows suffering. In the difficult days to come, bring to mind all the previous times you faithfully guided me. I know with suffering comes perseverance, perseverance produces character and character, hope. Hope through the Holy Spirit.

I look toward 2015 with hope and excitement for the new year. Guide and bless all of my endeavors. Direct my paths and give me clarity to know how to glorify and honor you in my daily decisions and tasks. Grant me wisdom and discernment for Your name's sake.

Most of all, Father, I need you. Please help me to remember this. I am not made to live life apart from you. You alone are God. Nothing is better than you. Lead me deeper into the richness and knowledge of who You are. Give me an ever renewing thankfulness for the gospel and for my salvation. Mold me to look more like your son Jesus, living according to the spirit. 

You have loved, pursued and adopted me. In the next year, continue to keep you promises to provide me new mercies every morning and to be unchanging and faithful. Work mightily in my heart and may Your working overflow into the lives of the people you have called me to: my family, church community and neighbors. Proclaim and make known your great name in the coming year. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen