Psalm 25: A Prayer for the New Year

“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths” (Psalm 25:4-7).

Gracious Lord, guide me and teach me so that I will know your ways and follow them. In your great mercy forget the confessed and forsaken sins of my past. Don’t hold them against me any longer. Bring to my mind your promise that those transgressions are as far  from me as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).

“Good and upright is the Lord” (Psalm 25:8-11).

Lord, you are good and upright. You have promised to instruct me in how to follow you, to guide me in what is right, and to teach me your ways—your loving and faithful ways. Lord, as we begin this new year, I ask again that you will forget my great iniquity. Fill me instead with your right way.

“My eyes are ever on the Lord” (Psalm 25:12-15).

Teach me, Lord, how to be one who fears you, who listens and responds to your instruction. May your gracious promises to those who fear you come to pass in my life and the lives of my family. Assure me that as I follow you, as I keep my eyes on you, you will release me from what tries to ensnare me, from anything that tries to keep me from you.

“Turn to me and be gracious to me” (Psalm 25:16-22).

So many times I have felt lonely, I have felt afflicted, I have felt overwhelmed by troubles. So I ask, Lord, that you will look on my affliction and distress, and take away my sins. I ask that you will stand between me and my enemies, and guard me from their hatred. Guard my life and rescue me. Protect me by growing integrity and uprightness within me.