Prayer: For a year of life

For a year of life, on this last day
Of Two-Thirteen, we give you thanks,
For Sol’s bright light, for evening’s gray,
To be alive with blessed saints.

For a year of days, each moment precious,
Each hour a gift, we lift our praise,
Our living breath is but a preface
To eternal streets and heaven’s ways.

For a year ahead, if God will give,
We ask that we might move in faith,
The Holy Spirit in us might live,
And many know a spiritual birth.

For a year of growth, of service free
Of smallish goals, of vile ambition;
Of kingdom use we ask to be,
And faithful in our Lord’s commission.