Year’s End Prayer

The Valley of Vision, a collection of puritan prayers, is one of my favorite devotional reads. As I reflect back on 2010, with it’s highs and lows, I am incredibly grateful for the grace and goodness of God needfor every situation, every obstacle, every day, every moment. And a prayer I found in V.O.V. entitled “Year’s End” has helped me find words to express to my great God both my reflection on the past year and my anticipation for a new year to come. I hope it will encourage you as well.

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 foundation of the world,
and in love didst redeem my soul;
Thou didst love me still,
in spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust,
Thy goodness has been with me during another year,
leading me through a 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 hast veiled 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 tempests of persecution and temptation,
I shall not drown;
If I am to die,
I shall see thy face the 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 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.