New Year Hopes

In this New Year,
What are the things we're hoping for?
Such changes we would like to see!
So many things we want to be!
This suffering world's in such a mess;
Lives plagued by deep unhappiness;
Such desperate needs for food and drink –
That it seems futile just to think!

Yet God Himself, the God of Hope,
Has vast resources with which to cope.
His love encompasses each one;
The old, the lives but just begun;
The wealthy and the starving too.
He looks for channels to work through,
So urgent needs can soon be met
And hope not be extinguished yet.

God's people shall with Hope be filled
And fear within their hearts be stilled
When they God's Spirit will allow
To empower and to use them now,
So those in ignorance and night
May come to see the Saviour's Light,
And through unselfish sharing find
Needs met of body, spirit, mind.

So, in this year,
These are the things we're hoping for;
Within men's hearts, and on earth, peace;
From sin's control widespread release;
The growth of love and brotherhood;
Strong motivation to do good;
But most of all we hope and pray
Christ's Kingdom will achieve full sway
Within the hearts of all alive
Before the next New Year!

Honoria A. Groves

New Year 1984