Another Year Is Dawning

“One thing I ask of the Lord,
this is what I seek…”
Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

I love the start of a new year. It’s always a chance not only to remember and reflect upon the events of the past year, but also to take stock, recalibrate, and set a course for the next twelve months. Each year I try to have a focus word and prayer verse for the coming year. In November while reading through the Psalms in preparation for the Thanksgiving season, I came across today’s verse and literally couldn’t get past the first two words: “one thing.” In its entirety King David’s words found in Psalm 27:14 read as follows:

“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.”

Each of us may have a different “one thing” that we seek from the Lord. In 1874, author Frances Havergal penned the lyrics to Another Year Is Dawning. Her words initially were used for a New Year’s greeting card, but eventually made their way into Havergal’s extensive hymn collection. Frances Havergal’s words are a fervent and fitting prayer for a year of knowing God and making Him known. That was her “one thing.“ May her words bless and challenge us as another new year dawns.

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee;
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,
Another year of training for holier work above;
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.