The Cyber Hymnal ‎#12436

12436. A New Year Prayer

1 Before the new year’s portal
With waiting feet I stand
And seek, dear Lord, a blessing,
The guidance of Thy hand.
The path is all untrodden,
No human footfall yet
Has left a trace to follow,
And save our vain regret.

2 The way seems dark before me,
With no clear guiding light;
All unrevealed its dangers
To my dim mortal sight.
Father, I dare not venture
One single step alone,
Lest I in blindness stumble
Against some hidden stone.

3 Known to Thy higher wisdom
Is all my future way;
Its roughness and its windings,
Its snares to lead astray.
Unguided I shall wander,
Lord, let me take Thy hand,
And hold Thou up my goings,
That I secure may stand.

4 I know not what awaits me
Along the coming year,
What cup of joy untasted,
What weariness or fear;
Beneath what weight of sorrow
I may be called to bow,
How near the dreary shadow
Falls on my pathway now.

5 But this I know, undoubting,
That not too great or strong,
Will be the cross Thou’lt give me,
The darkness not too long;
For loving like a father
Thou chasten but to bless;
And with each needed trial
Will give sustaining grace.

6 Lord, quiet these forebodings,
These human doubts remove;
Give me childlike assurance,
A calm, unwavering love.
Let me go forward bravely,
With willing, trusting feet,
Through Thine own strength to conquer
Each enemy I meet.

Text Information

• First Line: Before the new year’s portal
• Title: A New Year Prayer
• Author: Emma F. R. Campbell (alt.)
• Meter: 76.76 D
• Language: English
• Source: The Hymn "Jesus of Nazareth Passeth By": Its History and Other Verses (New York: M. E. Munson, 1909)
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate texts: AURELIA by Samuel S. Wesley, BENTLEY by John P. Hullah, CHENIES by Timothy R. Matthews

Tune Information

• Name: ANGEL'S STORY
• Composer: Arthur Henry Mann (1881)
• Meter: 76.76 D
• Key: G Major or modal
• Copyright: Public Domain