Just as a few days ago I posted a prayer to mark then end of one year, so today I offer a second to open another. The words below, again taken from The Valley of Vision, are filled with reverence, hope, trust, and passion for our great God, his word, his work, and his people.
May 2021 be characterized by such things for each of us, and all of us together!
A Prayer for New Year
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 might not be one moment apart from Thee,
But may rely on thy Spirit
To supply every thought,
Speak 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 me,
Thy wisdom to teach,
Thy right hand to guide,
Thy counsel to instruct,
Thy law to judge,
Thy presence to stabilize.
May Thy fear be my awe,
Thy triumphs my joy.
Josiah has served the Oakridge Bible Chapel family as one of its elders and one of its pastoral staff members since September 2018, before which he ministered as an associate pastor to a local congregation in the Canadian prairies. Josiah's desire is to be used by God to help equip the church for ministry, both while gathered (edification) and while scattered (evangelization). He is married to Patricia, and together they have five children—Jonah, Henry, Nathaniel, Josephine, and Benjamin.
