We heard this morning that a local minister, known well to many of us, died after suffering a massive brain haemorrhage while leading a church service yesterday. As another year draws to a close and another one beckons, this renews my determination to live significantly, and make each day count.
The following prayer "found me" last night - I was browsing, apparently at random, through Celtic Daily Prayer, looking for some words to close the day.
Lord, I will trust You,
Help me to journey beyond the familiar
and into the unknown.
Give me the faith to leave old ways
and break fresh ground with you.
Christ of the mysteries, can I trust you
to be stronger than each storm in me?
Do I still yearn for Your glory to lighten on me?
I will show others the care You've given me.
I determine amidst all uncertainty
always to trust.
I choose to live beyond regret
and let You recreate my life.
I believe You will make a way for me
and provide for me
if only I trust You
and obey.
I will trust in the darkness and know
that my times are still in your hand.
I will believe You for my future,
chapter by chapter, until all the story is written.
Focus my mind and my heart upon You,
my attention always on You without alteration.
Strengthen me with Your blessing
and appoint me to the task.
Teach me to live with eternity in view.
Tune my spirit to the music of heaven.
Feed me,
and, somehow,
make my obedience count for You.
© Northumbria Community (from Celtic Daily Prayer p197-9)