The Morning Routine for a New Year

As most people, I have a morning routine.  Each day, I get up before the sun rises after my wife leaves for work, grab a cup of freshly brewed coffee, sit down in my chair, and embrace the silence of the morning.  I often open my blinds to watch the sun rise over our neighbor’s homes and watch as the birds show up in our backyard for some seed.  

As I sip my coffee, I hold in the Light those that I know who are struggling within our Meeting; those battling cancer, on hospice, struggling with mental health issues, challenged by aging, needing some hope because of their job situations, the lonely, the anxious, the needy.  Often, I will send email messages or stop and write a card to someone who needs an extra lift.  

I also hold in the Light my own family and their needs. And lastly, I consider my own personal struggles and needs. It is often a challenge to hold myself in the Light as it seems unnatural.  On New Years this year, I was struggling to do this and to find words but came across the following Prayer for the New Year by Debbie Ford. This prayer has been added to my morning routine for 2026.  I have printed it out and keep it next to my chair.  Just maybe, you will find it helpful to start your day as well. 

Prayer for a New Year  

Dear God,

On this day I ask You to grant this request,

May I know who I am and what I am,

Every moment of every day.

May I be a catalyst for light and love,

And bring inspiration to those whose eyes I meet.

May I have the strength to stand tall in the face of conflict,

And the courage to speak my voice, even when I'm scared.

May I have the humility to follow my heart,

And the passion to live my soul's desires.

May I seek to know the highest truth

And dismiss the gravitational pull of my lower self.

May I embrace and love the totality of myself,

My darkness as well as my light.

May I be brave enough to hear my heart,

To let it soften so that I may gracefully

Choose faith over fear.

Today is my day to surrender anything that stands

Between the sacredness of my humanity and my divinity.

May I be drenched in my Holiness

And engulfed by Your love.

May all else melt away.

And so it is.

Happy New Year, Friends!