As we begin a new calendar year tomorrow, this seems like a beneficial time to re-dedicate ourselves to the Holy One and to re-commit to following the Divine way ever more closely in the year to come. No matter what the year ahead brings our way, God has promised to stay by our side as we move through it. The key is having the courage to stay open to God’s presence in all things.
The prayers below are designed for use with an Anglican rosary in honor of the new year. May the coming year bring blessings your way!
These prayers were found in a number of sources, and you can find a full list of those sources at the bottom of this post. The author of each prayer is listed below, and the prayer that is used across the week beads is by Vinita Hampton Wright but has been adapted for first person singular (I instead of we).
| Cross: | Dear God, Thank you for new beginnings. What an incredible day this is with a fresh year’s potential stretched out before me. I want to be found faithful this year in each and every opportunity you bring to me. Thank you, Lord, for new beginnings. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen. (prayer by Pastor David McGee) |
| Invitatory bead: | Heavenly Father, At midnight, when the old year dies, and the new comes bounding in, I draw strength from knowing that in the next twelve months the snows will go, the buds will burst, the heat will rise, the leaves will fly. That all these things will happen according to your schedule and in your time; That there is order in your universe, and that I am part of it. (prayer by Van Varner) |
| Cruciform beads: | Eternal God, you gave [me] the greatest gift: the gift of life. In the coming year, help [me] use it wisely. May [I] grow in generosity, kindness and forgiveness, hope, faith, and love. Amen. (prayer by Rabbi Evan Moffic, but adapted for first person singular) |
| Week bead 1: | God of all time, help [me] enter the New Year quietly, thoughtful of who [I am] to [myself] and to others, mindful that [my] steps make an impact and [my] words carry power. May we walk gently. |
| Week bead 2: | May [I] speak only after [I] have listened well. |
| Week bead 3: | Creator of all life, help [me] enter the New Year reverently, aware that you have endowed every creature and plant, every person and habitat, with beauty and purpose. May [I] regard the world with tenderness. |
| Week bead 4: | May [I] honor rather than destroy. |
| Week bead 5: | Lover of all souls, help [me] enter the New Year joyfully, willing to laugh and dance and dream, remembering [my] many gifts with thanks and looking forward to blessings yet to come. May [I] welcome your lavish love. |
| Week bead 6: | May [I] cast off the small, vindictive gods [my] fears have made. |
| Week bead 7: | May the grace and peace of Christ bless [me] now and in the days ahead. |
| Invitatory bead: | Heavenly Father, At midnight, when the old year dies, and the new comes bounding in, I draw strength from knowing that in the next twelve months the snows will go, the buds will burst, the heat will rise, the leaves will fly. That all these things will happen according to your schedule and in your time; That there is order in your universe, and that I am part of it. (prayer by Van Varner) |
| Cross: | Lord, as this new year begins, I place my life back into Your hands. Thank you for carrying me through what I couldn’t control and for the grace waiting in what’s ahead. Go before me. Guide me gently. Teach me to trust You—one day at a time. Amen. (prayer by @mindfulchristianity on Instagram) |
Sources of prayers used above:
Cross (1): prayer by Pastor David McGee, found on Woman’s Day
Cross (2): prayer by @mindfulchristianity on Instagram
Invitatory bead: prayer by Van Varner, found on Woman’s Day
Cruciform beads: prayer by Rabbi Evan Moffic (adapted from first person plural to first person singular for bracketed words), found on Woman’s Day
Week beads: prayer by Vinita Hampton Wright (adapted from first person plural to first person singular for bracketed words), found on Woman’s Day
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