PRAYERS OF DEDICATION
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,…
As we enter a new year let us dedicate ourselves once more to persevere and run the race our God has set before us. Below are two prayers from the Puritan tradition, and a prayer of AW Tozer, an American Christian pastor and author.
A prayer of thanksgiving for the year just gone and for preparation for the future.
O LOVE BEYOND COMPARE,
Thou art good when thou givest, when thou takest away, when the sun shines upon me, when night gathers over me
thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world, and in love didst redeem my soul;
Thou dost love me still, in spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust.
Thy goodness has been with me during another year, leading me through a twisting wilderness, in retreat helping me to advance, when beaten back making sure headway.
Thy goodness will be with me in the year ahead; I hoist sail and draw up anchor, with thee as the blessed Pilot of my future as of my past.
I bless thee that thou hast veiled my eyes to the waters ahead.
If thou hast appointed storms of tribulation, thou wilt be with me in them;
If I have to pass through tempests of persecution and temptation, I shall not drown;
If I am to die, I shall see thy face the sooner;
If a painful end is to be my lot, grant me grace that my faith fail not;
If I am to be cast aside from the service I love, I can make no stipulation;
Only glorify thyself in me whether in comfort or trial, as a chosen vessel meet always for thy use.
A prayer for grace for the future
O LORD,
Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed in thy presence, in thy service, to thy glory.
Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour, that I may not be one moment apart from thee, but may rely on thy Spirit to supply every thought, speak in every word, direct every step, prosper every work, build up every mote of faith, and give me a desire to show forth thy praise; testify thy love, advance thy kingdom.
I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year, with thee, O Father, as my harbour, thee, O Son, at my helm, thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails. Guide me to heaven with my loins girt, my lamp burning, my ear open to thy calls, my heart full of love, my soul free.
Give me thy grace to sanctify me, thy comforts to cheer, thy wisdom to teach, thy right hand to guide, thy counsel to instruct, thy law to judge, thy presence to stabilise.
May thy fear be my awe, thy triumphs my joy.
AW Tozer – A Prayer of Commitment
I come to you today, O Lord, To give up my rights, to lay down my life, To offer my future, To give my devotion, my skills, my energies.
I shall not waste time deploring my weaknesses, nor my unfittedness for the work.
I acknowledge your choice with my life, to make Christ attractive and intelligible to those around me.
I come to you for spiritual preparation.
Put your hand upon me, anoint me with the oil of the One With Good News.
Save me from compromise, Heal my soul from small ambitions, Deliver me from the itch to always be right, Save me from wasting time.
I accept hard work, I ask for no easy place, Help me not to judge others who walk a smoother path.
Show me those things that diminish spiritual power in a soul.
I now consecrate my days to you,
Make your will more precious than anybody or anything.
Fill me with your power, And when at the end of life’s journey, I see you face to face, May I hear those undeserving words: “Well done my good and faithful servant”
I ask this not for myself, But for the glory of the name of your Son. Amen!
