A Puritan Prayer for 2011

Year's End
O Love beyond compare,
Thou art good when thou givest,
when thou takest away,
when the sun shines upon me,
when night gathers over me.

Thou hast loved me before the foundations of the world,
and in love didst redeem my soul;
Thou dost love me still,
in spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust.

Thy goodness has been with me during another year,
leading me through twisting wilderness,
in retreat helping me to advance,
when beaten back making sure headway.

Thy goodness will be with me in the year ahead
I hoist sail and draw up anchor,
with thee as the blessed Pilot of my future as of my past.
I bless thee that thou has blinded my eyes to the waters ahead.

If thou has appointed storms of tribulation,
thou wilt be with me in them;
if I have to pass through the tempests of persecution and temptation,
I shall not drown;
if I am to die,
I shall see thy face sooner;
if a painful end is to be my lot,
grant me grace that my faith fail not;
if I am to be cast aside from the service I love,
I can make no stipulation.

Only glorify thyself in me whether in comfort or trial,
as a chosen vessel meet always for thy use.

from The Valley of Vision