Take a walk outside with a pen and paper, find a comfy spot and reflect on these things for 20 mins.
Prayer
“Gracious God, in these moments
please remind me of your presence and generosity.
Give me the wisdom and courage to live gracefully with myself, others and the world you have wonderfully made.’
Meditation
Take some time and focus on the nearness of God.
Open yourself to the presence of our Creator.
“The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.” [Psalm 145:18]
“The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.
All your works praise you, Lord;
your faithful people extol you.” [Psalm 145:9,10]
Reflection
Looking back over the past year,
For what are you most grateful?
What makes you feel thankful?
What gifts and growth will you take from this year into the next?
Eg. Learning, patterns, relationships, dreams, ideas, change, responsibilities, prayers, provision.
Using simple words, express your gratitude to God.
Write a word or short phrase of thanks if you would like.
When or where in the past year do you feel you were you cooperating most fully with God’s action in your life?
When were you resisting? Do you notice weeds that may have taken hold this last year? Things that have wasted your time, destroyed balance, negative habits or patterns.
How do you want to live differently in 2010?
Share these things with God.
“Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life …
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God;
may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”
[Psalm 143:8b,10]
Closing Prayers
‘Ever-present Father, help me to meet you in the scriptures I read and the prayers I say; in the bread I break and the meals I share; in my investments at work and my enjoyments at play; and in the neighbours and family I welcome, love and serve, for your sake and that your love and peace may reign now and forever. Amen.”
I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year, ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.’ And he replied, ‘Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.’ May that almighty hand guide and uphold us all.
Minnie Haskins 1875 – 1957
“God, of your goodness give me yourself, for you are enough for me. And only in you do I have everything. Amen. Lady Julian of Norwich.
