Prayers for the New Year

By Saadia Faruqi

Source: Houston Community Newspapers 

Welcome to 2013… a brand new year, a chance for new beginnings. Like all Americans, I too want to live in peace, harmony and understanding with the rest of the world. Last year – like the preceding years – was especially tough on peace and prosperity for millions of people around the world and at home, with violence, wars, natural disasters, religious intolerance and so much more. But being human means we all share feelings of hope and optimism regardless of our faith, and so too wonder if this year will herald a change for the better.

 

As a reflection of these feelings, this year I have decided that instead of making new years’ resolutions (which I can never keep anyway), I’m going to offer some prayers. Prayers not just for myself, but for the world we all live in. Being Muslim, I take my inspiration from the Quran, but I’m sure the prayers in all holy books are similar. I invite readers to join me in praying for help from God, our Creator, Sustainer, Guardian and Protector in this new year.

“I am overcome, so come You to my help.” Chapter 54 Verse 11

 

“My Lord, then place me not with the wrongdoing people.” Chapter 23 Verse 95

 

“O Lord, I am a beggar of whatever good You may bestow upon me.” Chapter 28 Verse 25

 

“You are our Protector; forgive us then, and have mercy on us, for You are the Best of those who forgive.” Chapter 7 Verse 156

 

“Our Lord, bestow upon us mercy from Yourself, and provide us right guidance in our affairs.” Chapter 18 Verse 11

 

Let us pray that this year sows the seeds of peace within our communities and signals the end of disputes and wars. Let us begin to talk to each other about similarities instead of fighting over differences. Let us share with each other the teachings of love, tolerance, helpfulness and hope which are present in each of our scriptures. Let us forgive each other with the trust that God will also forgive us our transgressions. Let 2013 be better for us individually, nationally and internationally than any other year we have lived through. Amen.

 

Saadia Faruqi is the interfaith liaison for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and editor of Houston Interfaith. The views expressed in this post are her own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Ahmadiyya Community or Interfaith Houston.