A PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR–by A.B. Simpson

What shall I ask for the coming year?

What is Your will to do?

What would You do for me, dear Lord?

How can I best serve You?

Lord, I would ask for a holy year,

Spent in Your perfect will;

Help me to walk in Your very steps—

Help me to please You still.

Lord, I would ask for a trustful year;

Humble, and yet so high;

Help to bow at Your holy feet, 

And in Your presence lie.

Lord, I would ask for a year of faith;

Give me Your faith divine,

Taking my full inheritance,

Making Your fullness mine,

Lord, I would ask for a year of love,

That I may love You best;

Give me the love that fails not, 

Under the hardest test.

Lord, I would ask for a busy year,

Filled up with service true;

Doing with all Your Spirit’s might

All that I find to do.

Lord, I would ask for a year of prayer—

Teach me to walk with You;

Breathe in my heart Your Spirit’s breath;

Fill me with Your power to do.

Lord, I would ask for a dying world;

Stretch forth Your mighty hand;

Scatter forth Your Word—Your power display

This year in every land.

Lord, I would ask for a year of joy,

Your peace, Your joy divine,

Springing undimmed through all the day,

Whether of shade or shine.

Lord, I would ask for a year of hope,

Looking for You to come,

And hastening on that year of years,

That brings us Christ and Home.