Prayer for the New Year

 Dear God,

I am am not an exceptional Christian, as I am sure you are aware. I have in the last year or so been speaking to you at least once a day, sharing my gratitude and hopes that my love ones are happy, healthy and safe.

It's been a scary couple of years. Covid first showed it's ugliness and friends and family became victims of a dangerous and invisible enemy. I've been fortunate in that the few members of my extended family that were struck down did recover. Lately though it's poison is touching so many. Friends I have made on facebook are often posting that someone dear to them has passed due to Covid. The news carries stories of celebrities or the well known sharing their grief. I wonder if we will ever escape this time?

The saddest part of living in the time of Covid has been the change from a nation that worked toward a common goal to one of division. That it is so easy for people to be hateful towards each other. Is this mental illness? The outpouring of hate and spew of angry profanities seemingly directed at random strangers. Or has this always been there hidden but now revealed thanks to millions of cameras directed to capture the foulness? This is unnerving and upsetting. This is not the kind of world that I want to live in.

I'd like 2022 to be the year that we allow kindness to wash away our differences, and respect to replace the ugliness. I'd love to see people care about each other again, especially strangers. I'd love to see people embrace the idea that a mask shows the world that you care, and is not an infringement of your rights, A seatbelt is for protection. Sun screen is for protection. Why is a mask considered a tether or restraint? What you do to protect others protects yourself and those that you love.

No More Ugly people. It is not something to be proud of. Help us to find the kindness and share it with others. And before you, the  reader, can call me naive, let me remind you that this is my prayer, and kindness brings hope.It's not an invitation to argue or name call. After all I do not interrupt your prayers do I?

Many Thanks and Amen,

Kelly