Another year is dawning

I just finished reading a collection of several biographies of great hymn-writers.

Frances Havergal, the English poet who wrote such hymns as I Gave My Life For Thee and T ake My Life And Let It Be , was an extraordinarily gifted woman. During her lifetime she learned Latin, Hebrew, Greek, German, and Italian; she memorized the books of Isaiah, Psalms, the Minor Prophets, all four Gospels, all the epistles, and Revelation.

Yet in this New Year’s poem, she expresses the constant need that she still felt for the sustaining grace and loving breast of her Savior Jesus Christ. It is an excellent prayer for all of us:

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it beIn working or in waiting, another year with Thee.Another year of progress, another year of praise,Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,Another year of training for holier work above.Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it beOn earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.