I was cleaning out a file of some old stuff that I had printed up and came across this prayer from Brennan Manning called "The Ragamuffin Prayer". I thought it was a great prayer for the new year.

Oh God my Father, thank you for your mercies - innumerable, measureless, fathomless...thank you! Be present with me now on each step of this ragamuffin journey. Grow me up in my inner being to receive and share abroad more and more of Your love. Let me be Your hands and face and words to all I meet.

Set me free to serve You - free from anxiety, fear, self-pity, self hatred, cynicism, or skepticism. Free me from every crippling sin and any darkness of unbelief.

Lord Jesus Christ, anoint my life and my spiritual community with deep faith and reckless abandonment to Your enduring goodness. Give us truly listening hearts, that we may hear Your word and courageously act upon it, to the praise of your name and the joy of your heart.

I ask this in the name of your son, our lord Jesus Christ. Amen.