A New Year’s Prayer

I raise my hands 
And pray 
For a year of success 
Safety and security 
For happiness 
Health and wealth 

I pray for mercy 
And compassion 
And forgiveness 
For guidance 
And provision 
And fulfilment 
Of all needs 

I pray 
For myself 
And my loved ones 
For my community 
For my people 
For all 

And then 
With ‘ameen’ 
I lower my hands 
Knowing my prayers 
Are now safely held 
In Hands far better 
Than mine 

The story behind the poem

Today is the 1st of Muharram, which is the start of the new year in the Islamic calendar. I drafted this some time ago, but I can’t quite remember in which year or for which calendar’s start (i.e. religious or secular). It happened to come out of the Publish Everything Challenge envelope earlier this week, though, so I thought it would be timely to schedule it for today. I wish you all a happy new year – may your hopes, needs, and goals be fulfilled.