God grant us this year a wider view

So we see others' faults through the eyes of You.

Teach us to judge not with hasty tongue

Neither the adult, nor the young.

Give us patience and grace to endure

And a stronger faith so we feel secure.

And instead of remembering, help us forget

The irritations that caused us to fret.

Freely forgiving for some offence

And finding each day a rich recompense.

In offering a friendly helping hand

And trying in all ways to understand.

That all of us whoever we are

Are trying to reach an unreachable star.

For the great and small, the good and bad

The young and old, the sad and glad.

Are asking today, is life worth living?

And the answer is only in loving and giving.

For only love can make man kind

And kindness of heart brings peace of mind.

And by giving love we can start this year

To lift the clouds of hate and fear.

~Helen Steiner Rice~