St Peters RC Church Hamilton

“Of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.” John 1 v 16

I stand at the threshold and wait.
Wait for the date of an opening’s beginning,
Fresh start, new start to my heart’s intervention,
My desire and intention to serve You, Lord.
Afford me the grace of Your Spirit.
I can only do what is pleasing to You,
Through Him, in Him, with Him.
Let the Holy Spirit begin anew in me.

“You have an anointing from the Holy One.” 1 John 2 v 20

A new work in me to set me free
From those besetting sins which halt me.
So many a fault assails, Lord, I am sorry.
It is hard not to feel despondent with failure.
As I look back, so much do I see I lack.
Yet, I live in the light of Your love
And love will always succeed to bring out the best.

“Indeed You love truth in the heart; then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom.” Psalm 51 v 6

When I fail this test we call life,
When I succumb to strife and falter,
Alter my perceptions, dear Lord.
Afford me the grace of Your Spirit
To start again with fresh resolve.
In Him I can solve every difficulty
Because the Spirit brings me closer to Your holiness.

“A pure heart create for me. O God, put a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from
Your presence, nor deprive me of Your Holy Spirit.” Psalm 51 v 10, 11

Help me to pray in the way You ask me to,
Bringing every single thing to You for blessing
Or addressing that which needs to be put right.
May I receive the insight of Your all holy,
All loving, all life enhancing wisdom and truth,
That I may look forward with faith’s confident hope.
The scope of Your Spirit is life affirming,
Confirming all that is good, honourable and holy,
All that is worthy, worthwhile and of the best loving invention.

“In the eve of our lives we will be judged on our love.” St John of the Cross

I can mention Your name with confidence, Lord,
Because of that which Your Spirit does for me,
Does in me, does with me, even – all thanks be to God – does through me.

Afford me the grace of Your Spirit,
And the merit will be progress eventually.
Slow and steady wins the race and I have far,
So very far to go if I am to live in Your truth,
By Your truth, to give of Your truth fully, dear Lord.

“He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with His truth.” Psalm 96 v 13

But I thank You for the start I have made.
Help me travel on through this next year.
Whatever problems appear, remind me to turn to You.
Bid me to seek all You are saying to me.
Show me clearly how “All things work together for good
To those who love God, to those who
Romans 8 v 18 Are called according to His purpose.”

Let me learn and move forward in a way,
A way each and every day, that will please You.
Help me to persevere in prayer and its outcome!
Let the battle be won by faith’s certainty
Of all You can do, all You will do in me
If I but allow You to, invite You to, Lord,
Afford me the grace of Your Spirit.
Philippians 14 v 13 “There is nothing I cannot do in the One who strengthens me,”
You, Lord, alive and active in me by the gift of Your Spirit.

“By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15 v 10

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1 v 4

Dear Lord,
So much, so very much You have given me this year, I thank You… I ask for the continuing gift of Your
Spirit to guide, strengthen, support, enlighten and inspire me, allowing me to see God’s loving hand upon
my life through all You do for me and more. Help me this coming year to serve God more effectively as by
Your Spirit I draw closer to You following Your plan and purpose for me, to the glory of God forever.
Amen.

NEW YEAR’S EVE 2007