Powers of Good

                                  By Dietrich Bonhoeffer

With every power for good to stay and guide rne, 

comforted and inspired beyond all fear, 

I'll live these days with you in thought beside me, 

and pass, with you, into the coming year.

The old year still torments our hearts, unhastening; 

the long days of our sorrow still endure; 

Father, grant to the souls thou hast been chastening 

that thou hast promised, the healing and the cure.

Should it be ours to drain the cup of grieving 

even to the dregs of pain, at thy command, 

we will not falter, thankfully receiving 

all that is given by thy loving hand.

But should it be thy will once more to release us 

to life's enjoyment and its good sunshine, 

that which we've learned from sorrow shall increase us, 

and all our life be dedicate as thine.

Today, let candles shed their radiant greeting; 

lo, on our darkness are they not thy light 

leading us, haply, to our longed-for meeting? -

Thou canst illumine even our darkest night.

When now the silence deepens for our hearkening, 

grant we may hear thy children's voices raise 

from all the unseen world around us darkening 

their universal paean, in thy praise.

While all the powers of good aid and attend us, 

boldly we'll face the future, come what may. 

At even and at morn God will befriend us, 

and oh, most surely on each newborn day!

                                                                             December 1944