In January of 1874, the many friends of Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879) received a New Year's greeting with the heading, "A Happy New Year! Ever Such May it Be!" Following this greeting appeared her text, still considered to be one of the finest New Year's prayers of consecration ever written. One can well imagine that those who received this greeting card from Miss Havergal that year read her words thoughtfully. They were written by one who had already become widely known throughout England as "the consecration poet." It was said of her that she always lived her words before she wrote them. Her life was one of constant and complete commitment to God. Her many talents - an accomplished pianist and vocalist, proficiency in seven languages, a keen mind (memorization of the entire New Testament, Psalms, Isaiah, and the Minor Prophets) - were all dedicated to serving God and others during the new year. Personally, after the deaths of loved ones, I especially enjoy her closing lines "Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be on earth or else in Heaven, another year for Thee". Numerous melodies have been used with these words but probably the most well known is the tune to "The Church's One Foundation". So as we begin the new year, and a new decade, may this hymn be the prayer of our hearts. And may you have a blessed and productive 2020.
1 Another year is dawning!
Dear Father, let it be,
in working or in waiting,
another year with thee;
another year of leaning
upon thy loving breast,
another year of trusting,
of quiet, happy rest.
2 Another year of mercies,
of faithfulness and grace;
another year of gladness
in the shining of thy face;
another year of progress,
another year of praise,
another year of proving
thy presence all the days.
3 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,
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