On Tuesday November 4, 2008 the country elected a new president named Baraka Obama. We have turned the page on race and hate. Now is the time for us also to start a new. this prayer is written to inspire a new beginning.

A Prayer For a New Start

God of new beginnings and wonderful surprises, thank you for the gift of a new start. May it be a time of grace for me, a time to grow in faith and love, a time to renew my commitment to following Your Son. May it be a new time of blessing for me, a time to cherish my family and friends, a time to embrace my faith more fully.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love
where there is injury, pardon
where there is doubt, faith
where there is despair, hope
where there is darkness, light
where there is sadness, joy

Lord, as the dawns of this new start grant, that I may not so much:

seek to be consoled as to console
seek to be understood as to understand
seek to receive as to giving
seek to be forgiven as to forgive
seek to be big in little things
seek to be the joy which friendship brings
seek to be wise in what is right
seek to bear what burdens come my way.
seek to endure and less to fear.

Walk with me O Lord, every day and every hour of this New beginning, that the light of Christ might shine through me, in spite of my weaknesses and failings. Above all, may I remember this year that I am a pilgrim on the sacred path to You. AMEN