Throughout my ministry I have
served a wide range of age groups. The
military chaplaincy was focused naturally on younger people and our
congregation in Puerto Rico had almost no
elderly folk. In Florida , however, a larger percentage of
churches have a predominance of retired folks.
Ministry to the older age group has its challenges. Some time back I ran across this prayer which
has a potent message for all of us as we grow older.
Lord, thou knowest that I am growing older.
Keep me from growing
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 details. 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 the time goes by.
Make me thoughtful but
not nosey; helpful but not bossy.
Teach me the glorious
lesson that occasionally I may be wrong.
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 in the end.
-
Author Unknown
The prayer speaks for itself; hopefully I can apply it to
myself.
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