A Good Prayer for the New Year

A few years ago, my friend, Elisabeth, sent the following New Year prayer written in 1883 by the pastor of St. Lamberti Church in Munster, Germany. Elisabeth translated it into English.  I pass it along to you with slight modification and a "Happy New Year."

Lord, set limits to overly high spirits and let those limits be unnecessary.

Let the people not make false money, and let not money make false people.

Take the last word from the wives, and remind husbands of their first.

Give to our friends more truth, and to the truth more friends.

Improve leaders and workers who are doers but not good doers.

Give the government better citizens, and the citizens a better government.

Lord, please make sure we all go to heaven, but not right away.

Amen.