End of Year Guided Prayer

End of Year Guided Prayer, using the image of a slide show scene, looking over your year with God.                                  (Helena Whitwell, 2023) 

Find a comfortable, quiet and relaxing space and begin to breathe slowly and deeply.

Allow things of the day, distractions, to do lists to fall away and focus on your deep- self being centred. You may like to imagine you are a strong, tall tree with deep roots growing deep underground.

Prayer to begin:

God, we welcome your presence now. Help us to open our hearts and minds to your voice speaking to us. Help us to receive from you as we reflect on the past year, and move forward with hope into the year ahead. Equip us with what we need for our journey, and help us to lean on you, so that we can be all we were made to be. Amen

Now, imagine you are entering into a small, cosy cinema room. There is a comfortable seat for you to sit in, and it’s all set up for you. This is a space for you to look back at the year you’ve just had, with God.  

This isn’t a space to look at all your faults from the year: it’s a safe space to acknowledge the highs and lows, the painful and the joyful things, letting God speak to you and gently guide you through.

It’s up to you how you picture God in the room: male, female, the Holy Spirit in a different form, or perhaps simply a presence with you. There is not right or wrong way to do this- just imagine what is most helpful for you. And when you speak to God- please use the names for God that feel most natural for you.

Imagine God has prepared some slides to help you do this- like an old fashioned slide show. Each slide clicks into place and lets moments or memories of the past year pop into your mind. Don’t force anything, but in a calm and relaxed state, allow God to highlight the things that will be best for you to focus on today.

As you gently continue your slow breathing, see what comes to mind. As memories come, gently allow yourself to press ‘pause’ on each thing- and just be aware of the feelings it evokes.

Perhaps what popped into your mind evoked joy and happy memories. Pause on each one and be aware of that moment, remembering the joy.  Move in your own time, when you are ready, move onto another point of the year. You might be surprised about things that come to mind. Go with it, and let the Holy Spirit guide you.

Perhaps there is a very big and painful thing that has happened this year- when you’re ready, let yourself sit with that for a moment, knowing that God is there with you. Speak to God about it, or share it with God in some way. Perhaps it would be helpful to sit in the presence of God, being held or comforted in the midst of it.

It might be that something comes to mind that you’re not quite ready to reflect on with God. That’s ok- but perhaps you could talk to God briefly about that, and say you want to park it for now, and come back to it another time. God doesn’t want to force you to do anything – but wants to give you a gentle and safe space, where you know you are not alone, to reflect on things that are important.

If you find the idea of the slideshow helpful, stick with it, and let God highlight different moments from the year. As you think about it- speak to God about it.

What was hard about it? What do you wish had been done differently? Did you experience some kind of loss or hurt through it?

Ask God – what do you want to say to me about this particular memory?

And if it was a joyful thing: God, how did you feel about that moment? What might God want you to receive as you re-live that moment? How might you say thank you to God?

Continue like this, allowing more things to come to mind. When you feel ready to move on to the next one- allow yourself to let the next one slot into place in front of you.

……..

Now, let’s ask God a few things to help us let go of the year we’ve just had.

God, is there anything you would like me to let go of, and give to you about the past year?

Wait in the stillness, and see if anything comes to mind. When you are ready, imagine you are handing those things over to God. You are actively choosing to trust God and surrender those things to God.

Keep doing this as long as you feel you need to.

………

Is there anything you specifically want to thank God for, from the past year? It could be anything: small, general, personal, a growing opportunity or a particular experience you went through. Do that with God now. If you want to keep using the idea of the slideshow, you can!

………

Now we will look to the year ahead. You might like to ask God to help you reflect on what your hopes and dreams for the coming year are. You may not know initially what these are, but give some time to listening to what’s deep inside of you, and ask God to gently help you dig these out. Talk to God about these hopes and dreams, and invite God into this part of you.

Now consider whether you have any fears or worries about the year ahead. Look at those with God, and ask God to help you face those, together. Ask God to remind you that you are not alone.

Some questions you could ask God:

God,  Are there any tools you want to give me, to equip me for the year ahead?

Is there anything else you want me to receive from you today?

Is there a key truth or scripture you want me to take with me into the coming year?

Still in the stillness and choose to receive the things that may come to mind. Write them down, and thank God for them. If you have specific scriptures, highlight them, write them down and stick them up somewhere so you don’t forget!

Loving God,

Thank you for being with me today and helping me reflect on my past year, and looking towards the next. When I try to take back the things I have let go of today, would you gently remind me to put them safely back in your hands. Thank you for the gifts and tools you have given me today. Help me to actively receive those things to give me strength for each day.

As I move from this year into the next, would you take me by the hand and guide me on my journey, helping me to trust you and stay close to you.

Amen

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