Thursday Prayer: Beginning Again

Father, here I am at another beginning, another chance to start fresh. I know these calendar transitions are human constructs, but you meet me even in human rhythms. You make all things new - not just once, but continuously, mercifully, relentlessly.

I'm bringing last year's disappointments with me because I don't know how else to carry them. I'm bringing broken resolutions, unfinished projects, relationships that frayed, and faith that wavered. I wanted to arrive at this new year tidier, but I'm showing up honest instead. Thank you that your mercies don't wait for me to have it all together - they're new every morning, including this first morning of the year.

Help me hold the past and future rightly. Let me remember your faithfulness without being imprisoned by my failures. Let me anticipate your goodness without the burden of unrealistic expectations I'll break by February. This year, I don't need to become someone different - I need to become more fully who you've already made me. Lead me day by day, moment by moment. I can't see December from here, but you're already there. That's enough.