Prayer for the Year Ahead

(Prayer from unknown author, adapted by Debra Mooney)

May God make this year a happy one!

Not by shielding us from all sorrows and pain,
But by strengthening us to bear it, as it comes;

Not by making our path easy,
But by making us sturdy and able to travel any path;

Not by taking hardships from us,
But by taking fear from our heart;

Not by granting us unbroken sunshine,
But by keeping our faces bright, even in the shadows;

Not by making our life always pleasant,
But by showing us people and causes that need us most,
and by making us anxious to be there to help.

God’s love, peace, hope and joy to us all for the year ahead.

Amen.