| I want............. O Lord, on the New Year�s eve, I do not want to make many promises, as through my previous experiens, I know that I shall not fulfill 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 weakness, 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 begning 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. |
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| By Pope Shenouda III: |
| +From our friend in Denmark.......+ |
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