A Prayer about New Year’s Eve
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,
for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Our God is in the heavens;
he does all that he pleases.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands. (Ps. 115:1–4)
Heavenly Father, as I sit quietly before you on the eve of a new year, I’ve got a good case of sad and glad going on inside of me. Both of these themes are at work in my heart as I reflect on the past year. It’s a good tension, one for which the gospel is more than sufficient.
Looking back over the past twelve months, I can easily say with the psalmist, “Be praised, adored and worshiped, O God, for your love and your faithfulness!” Abba, Father, you loved me all year long with an everlasting, engaged, unwavering love, irrespective of anything I did or didn’t do. You loved me as much as you love your Son, Jesus, for you’ve hidden my life in his. Thank you for your steadfast love and fresh mercies that came every single day this past year, when I was aware of them and when I wasn’t. You remained faithful to everything you’ve promised in Jesus. Great is your faithfulness. You do every- thing that pleases you. This makes me very glad.
But Father, it’s because of your love for me in Jesus that I can also own my sadness. This past year I also joined the nations in saying, “So where is your God?” You usually heard this complaint from me when you were busy doing what pleases you, and not what pleases me. Many times I trusted my voiceless, sightless, senseless, powerless idols more than I trusted you. I grieve my foolishness.
Here’s where the gladness trumps the sadness: I will not always be a man of two minds and a divided heart. Father, you will bring to completion the good gospel work you have begun in me. One day I will no longer even be tempted to worship anything or anyone but you. Hasten that glad and glorious day.
But until that day, even on the eve of a new year, prepare me for twelve new months of groaning and growing in grace. Bring much glory to yourself as the gospel does its work in my life and through my life. I pray in Jesus’ faithful name.
Amen.