We find one prayer in this cherished collection that is especially fitting for this first day of January. It begins:

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.

This prayer reminds us that the faithfulness of God does not wax and wane with the seasons or circumstances of life. The calendar page turns, but God does not change. Whether we faced joys or trials in the year behind us, the Lord has remained constant. This truth, foundational to the saving work of Jesus, is an anchor to our souls as we face unknowns in a new year.

Reflect on God’s Providence This New Year

Blessings and challenges alike shaped the past year under God’s sovereign hand. The prayer continues:

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.

What better foundation for a new year than the assurance that God’s love for His people is eternal? Before time began, He chose us in Christ. He invites us to rest in His providence and to trust His purposes.

A Resolved New Year

It is natural to dwell on the thought of “resolutions” as one stands at the threshold of a new year. Yet, how often do our resolutions center on self-improvement, divorced from repentance? Let us instead resolve to:

Rest in Christ’s Presence

Our prayer remembers Jesus’ steadfastness:

Thy goodness has been with me 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.

The Christian life does not shield us from trials. Yet, Jesus remains our Lord, Redeemer, and Rock, and the Spirit is our Comforter and Helper. We face the hardships of this year not by relying on our own strength, but by leaning on the sustaining presence of our Savior.

Deepen Our Faith

“Faith,” in the English language, comes from the Latin fide. It is a root we also find in the English word, “confidence.” To have faith in Christ means placing our confidence in Him. May we continue this year to deepen our confidence in His salvation and sanctification of our souls. Our prayer concludes with this:

I bless thee that thou hast veiled my eyes to the waters ahead.
If thou has 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 whenever in comfort or trial,
as a chosen vessel meet always for thy use.

To echo the exhortation of the Apostle Paul: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Each day of this new year is an opportunity to glorify our Maker. Let us commit as a church body to spur one another on in love and good works (Hebrews 10:24). Let us pray for one another, bear each other’s burdens, and rejoice together in the faithfulness of our Lord.

Happy New Year!