Prayer at the Close of the Year

What shall I render unto the Lord for ail His benefits to me? The Lord hath done great things for me, whereof I am glad. O Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! My soul rejoices in Thy grace, which has permitted me to live through another year under Thy protection. How excellent is Thy loving kindness, O God: therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house; and Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures. For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light.

My God, the days in a year are many, but Thy benefits are more. The hours and minutes of the year can be counted; but the mercies which Thou hast bestowed upon me are innumerable. I thank Thee, that during this year Thou hast caused Thy Word to be preached to me in its truth and purity, and through it hast shown to me the way of life and salvation. O seal in my heart all that I have heard; and grant me Thy Holy Spirit, that I may regulate my life according to Thy Word. I thank Thee, that Thou hast frequently given me Thy body to eat and Thy blood to drink in the Holy Supper: grant that it may strengthen my faith and sanctify my life. I thank Thee, that Thou hast frequently forgiven my sins and turned away from me the punishment which I deserved. O grant me strength sedulously to avoid those sins in the new year, and never again willfully to commit them. I thank Thee, that Thou hast blessed my occupation in life, provided me with food and raiment, granted me health, turned away harm, lightened my cross, and pitied me in distress. Thou hast guarded me as the apple of Thine eye, and defended me against the foes which sought my soul’s destruction. Thou hast heard me in the hour of need, and hast let my prayer come before Thy throne. In my distress Thou hast sent me help from the sanctuary and strengthened me out of Zion. Thou hast poured out Thy blessing upon me. Thou hast not hid Thy face from me when I cried unto Thee. Thou,. O loving Father, hast led me, Thy child, by the hand. Thou, O mighty King, hast shielded me, Thy subject, against my foes. Thou, O faithful Shepherd, hast made me, Thy sheep, to lie down in green pastures. Thou hast preserved my soul alive, while others perished. Thy goodness and faithfulness have been with me from the beginning to the end of the year. Thy wisdom has led me; Thy love has guarded me; Thy help has gladdened me; Thy grace has preserved me; Thy omnipotence has ever upheld me; Thy tender Father-hand has given me all things that I needed; Thine all-seeing eye has kept watch over me, guarded my going out and my coming in, and warded off all harm. Therefore, O taste and see that the Lord is good! Behold how kind He has been to my soul!

If at times Thou didst permit me to experience great distress, Thou didst also deliver me again. In the multitude of my thoughts within me, Thy comforts delighted my soul. If danger and need frequently came near me, Thy help was also near. Thy angel kept me in all my ways, and delivered me from the jaws of the lion.

O my God! Mercifully forgive me all the sins which I have committed against Thee in the old year. I beseech Thee, do not in the new year punish me on account of them, but pardon me for Jesus’ sake. Lord, remember not the sins of my youth nor my transgressions; according to Thy mercy remember Thou me for Thy goodness’ sake, O Lord.

O Lord God, I now close the old year with thanksgiving and praise and prayer. Remain, I humbly beseech Thee, my Shield and gracious God in the new year also. Keep Thy guarding hand over me. Yea, let me be entrusted to Thy care and love and grace in all time to come. Amen.