H.H. POPE SHENOUDA III

O Lord, on the New Year's eve, I do not want to make many promises, as through my previous experience, I know that I shall not fulfil any, or start but not perfect!

I do not want to rely on myself; I know my weakness. I know I have many good intentions, "but to perform what is good I do not find" (Rom. 7:18).

The first thing I want, Lord, is to talk to You openly.

I want to present you my heart as it is, not as it should be. And I want to put to You my weaknesses, as they are, so that with Your grace and Holy Spirit, You take charge of them...

I do wrong if I promise that I will repent, but I cry out to You "Restore me and I will return." (Jer. 31:18).

I will be at fault if I promise to do many good deeds, but I ask You to strengthen me so that I may be able to do. I want You to work in me in order to do what You want me to... "For it is God who works in you both to will and to work." (Phil. 2:13).

Lord, at the beginning of this year, I want you to take charge of the whole year, every day of it... and I want You to take all my life Yourself and shape it in the way which conforms with Your goodness and Your holy will...

I want you to reveal to me Your will in my life. "Teach me Your statutes. Make me understand the way of Your precepts." (Ps. 119:27). "Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law." (Ps. 119:18).

Tell me what You want and give me the strength to do it. If I do wrong and fall, excuse my weakness and hold my hand to rise.

I do not ask only for myself but also for those whom I love, whom You like most, because You chose them temples for Your Spirit. "Holy Father, protect them in Your name Sanctify them by Your truth." (John 17:11&17).

I want their names to be written in the Lamb's Book of Life.