Prayer for the new year

O Time, rolling through our lives
Measured in years. Measured in decades.
But measured also in days and hours and minutes.

God of moments, and of experiences.
Divinity of fleeting thoughts and passing encounters.

Help us to honor each moment of our lives as the precious gift it is.
Help us to recognize each moment of life as one more opportunity to live out our ideals.
Forgive us quickly and compassionately for the moments we have let pass without proper attention
But steal our resolve to be more careful with the days to come.

Let this be the year that our souls come to their maturity.
Let this be the year that our souls have a growth spurt.
Let this be the year that we begin to be that person we were meant to be.

That person of worth and dignity who sees the worth and dignity in others
That person of justice and compassion
That person who accepts all others equally
That person who this year strives forward on our quest for truth and meaning
Who speaks out when our conscience is troubled, who participates in the democratic process
Who builds the world community of peace, liberty and justice for all
Who recognizes our place in the interdependent web of all existence, and who cherishes that connection and celebrates it.

May this be a year where we honor the gift given to us at our birth.
And at the end of this year, repay that gift with a year of life worthy of your generosity.