Power in Prayer

Sunday, 26 October 2008

Prayer of the Aging
Topic: Aging

May Christ keep me ever young to the greater glory of God.
For old age comes from Him, old age leads to Him,
and old age will touch me only insofar as He wills.
To be "young" means to be hopeful, energetic, smiling --- and clearsighted.
May I accept death in whatever guise it may come to me in Christ,
that is, within the process of the development of life.

A smile --- inward and outward --- means facing with mildness
and gentleness whatever befalls me.

Jesus, grant me to serve You, to proclaim You, to glorify You,
and to manifest You, to the very end through all the time
that remains to me of life, and above all through my death.

Lord Jesus, I commit to your care my last years, and my death;
do not let them impair or spoil the work I have so dreamed of achieving
for You. Amen.

- Genesis 1:28

TAGS: Aging, Christian, Protestant

Posted by kupaakani at 8:44 PM HDT

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Sunday, 27 January 2008

Prayer in Old Age
Topic: Aging
Prayer in Old Age, attributed to a Seventeenth Century Nun

Lord, you know better than I know myself that I am getting older and will someday be old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody, helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it all, but you know, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end. Keep my mind from the recital of endless details-give me the wings to come to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing, and my love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter. I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others' pains, but help me to endure them with patience. I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken. Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not want to be a saint-some of them are so hard to live with-but a sour old woman is one of the crowning works of the devil. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and the talents in unexpected people. And give me the grace to tell them so.

Posted by kupaakani at 9:47 PM HST

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Sunday, 13 January 2008

Prayer for All Who Have Been Abused
Topic: Aging

You chose, O loving God,
to enter this world
quietly, humbly, and as an outcast.
Hear our prayers
on behalf of all who are abused:

For children,
who suffer at the hands
of parents whom they trust and love;
for spouses,
beaten and destroyed
by the very one
who promised to love
and to cherish them forever;
for all people
ignored, hated and cheated.
by the very neighbor
who could be the closest one
to offer your love.

Hear the cry of the oppressed.
Let the fire of your Spirit fill their hearts
with the power of vision, and hope.
Grant to them empowerment to act,
that they may not be passive victims
of violence and hatred.
Fulfill for them the promises you have made,
that their lives may be transformed
and their oppression ended.

Turn the hearts of the oppressor unto you
that their living may be changed
by your forgiving love;
and their abusive actions
and oppressive ways brought to an end.

Amen.

Vienna Cobb Anderson | Source: Adapted from "Prayers of Our Hearts" © 1991 Vienna Cobb Anderson. Reprinted with permission of the author.

Posted by kupaakani at 11:34 PM HST

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Tuesday, 6 November 2007

I Have Feared Growing Older
Topic: Aging

I Have Feared Growing Older

Lord, I have feared growing older,
but I know that my life is in your hands.
Let me keep my eyes upon you and my hands busy with
your work.
And let me never be cast aside,
but always find things to do
so that I may praise you and praise you,
my faithful God.

- Maureen Pratt

Appropriate for many faiths

source: Copyright (c) 2005 by Maureen Pratt. From "Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain and Illness" by Maureen Pratt, published by Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc. Reprinted with permission.

Posted by kupaakani at 9:09 PM HST

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