I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown: And he replied: Go out into the darkness and put thine hand into the hand of God. That shall be to thee better than light and safer than a known way.

So, I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night
And He led me toward the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

So, heart, be still!
What need our little life,
Our human life, to know,
If God hath comprehension?
In all the dizzy strife
Of things both high and low
God hideth His intention.

This poem by Minnie Louis Haskens (1875-1957) was quoted by King George 6th Christmas Day in 1939 when he made his first speech as his country faced an uncertain future, standing on the threshold of World War II.  (This speech was dramatized in the film, The King’s Speech.)  King George offered a message of encouragement, then concluded with lines from this poem, called “The Gate of the Year” or “God Knows.”

King George finished his speech with this prayer:  “May that Almighty Hand guide and uphold us all.”

My prayer for the new year is the same.  We all face uncertain futures and great unknowns.  I put my trust in my Father in Heaven.  I love Him and hope to follow where he leads.