Prayers for the Aging

to Let All Things Now Living

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.

A Prayer for Those Growing Older

Lord, Thou knowest I am growing older. Keep me from becoming talkative and possessed with the idea that I must express myself on every subject. Release me from the craving to straighten out everyone's affairs. Keep me from the recital of endless detail. Give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips when I am inclined to tell of my aches and pains. They are increasing with the years and my love to speak of them grows sweeter as time goes by. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be wrong. Make me thoughtful but not nosy; helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom and experience it does seem a pity not to use it all. But, Thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end. Amen.

"Be at Peace," by Saint Francis de Sales

Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life; rather, look to them with full hope that as they arise, God, Whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it, God will carry you in His Arms.

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; the same understanding Father Who cares for you today will take care of you then and every day.

He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.

05/30/2011