A prayerful reflection on the passing of another year
 
This prayer exercise is in three parts, and it is Trinitarian in structure.

• In the first movement, we direct our prayer to God the Father, counting our blessings over the past year and thanking him.
• In the second movement, we direct our prayer to God the Son, asking him for healing and forgiveness for the brokenness and sin in the past year.
• In the third movement, we direct our prayer to God the Holy Spirit, calling to mind the challenges that await us in the new year, and asking for guidance and strength to face those challenges.

 

1. We think back on the positive aspects of the past year, calling to mind things for which we are grateful, and directing our prayer of thanksgiving to God the Father, the source of all good things.

 
Call to mind the following:  
[PAUSE]
 
Pray to God the Father:
“God our Father, source of all that is good,
I thank you and praise you for all these gifts.
All that I have, all that I am, is a gift from your loving hand.
I am very grateful to you.”
 

2. We think back on the problems of the past year, directing our prayer to God the Son, Jesus Christ, whose Death and Resurrection is the source of healing and mercy.  In this movement, we examine our conscience, and ask for forgiveness.

 
Call to mind the following:  
[PAUSE]
 
Remember that the name Jesus means “God saves.”
Prayerfully ask Jesus Christ to save you:
“Lord Jesus, source of all redemption,
bring healing to all that is broken and hurting in my life,
bring forgiveness to all that is sinful in me.
Be my savior again.”
 

3. We think of the year to come, directing our prayer to God the Holy Spirit.  We call to mind the challenges that we will face in the upcoming months, and we ask for guidance and strength, so that we can be the people that God wants us to be.

Call to mind the following:

[PAUSE]
 
Pray to the Holy Spirit:
“Come, Holy Spirit, show me the way.
Guide me in this new year.
I trust that you will not leave me to face my future alone.
Help me to trust that, in my unknown future, you are already there waiting for me.
I entrust this new year to your direction and care.
Abide in me, and grant that forever I may abide in you.”