Prayer for the New Year

God grant us this year a wider view,

so we see others' faults through the eyes of You.

Teach us to judge not with hasty tongue,

neither the adult ... nor the young.

Give us patience and grace to endure

and a stronger faith so we feel secure;

and instead of remembering, help us forget

the irritations that caused us to fret.

Freely forgiving for some offense

and finding each day a rich recompense,

in offering a friendly, helping hand

and trying in all ways to understand,

that all of us whoever we are ...

Are trying to reach "an unreachable star."

For the great and small ... the good and bad,

the young and old ... the sad and glad,

are asking today, "Is life worth living?"

And the answer is only in "loving" and "giving."

For only "Love" can make mankind

and Kindness of Heart brings Peace of Mind,

and by giving love we can start this year

to lift the clouds of hate and fear.

[ Helen Steiner Rice -- from andychaps_the-funnies ]