A Birthday Prayer!

Dear Lord,
I thank you for giving me another year of my life.
I thank you for all the people
who have remembered me today;
for all the achievements and for all the friends
you have given me during the past year.


I thank you for all the experiences,
the success and happy memories;
for times of failure which reminded me
of my own weaknesses and of my need for you;
for times of joy when the sun was shining;
for times of sorrow which drove me to you.


Forgive me, Lord, for the hours I have wasted;
for the chances I failed to take;
for opportunities I missed in the past years,
Forgive me that I did not use my talents
and abilities to the fullest because I was lazy
and wanted things the easy way,
or I did not completely trust in your support.


Help me in the days which lie ahead
to make this coming year better than last year
and closer to you, my Lord.


Amen.