A Senior’s Prayer

(Written by Pam’s friend, Aziza Sleightholm, coordinator for People Helping People in Surrey, BC)

Lord, you know me better than I know myself

That I am growing older

And that someday I will be old.

Keep me from getting talkative
And from the habit of thinking that
I must say something on every occasion.

Release me from the craving to straighten out everyone’s affairs.
Keep my mind free from the ritual of endless details.
And give me wings to get to the point.

I ask for grace enough to listen to the tales of others’ pains.
Help me endure them with patience.
Seal my lips on my own aches and pains – even though they are increasing
And my love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.

Teach me the glorious lesson that it is possible to be mistaken.
Keep me reasonably sweet.
I don’t want to be a saint – some of them are hard to live with.
But a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.

Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful, but not bossy.
But with my vast store of wisdom,
It seems a pity not to use it all.

But you know, Lord,
I want a few friends at the end.

In the February, 2006, issue of the Sunrise Pavilion Seniors’ Newsletter, Aziza added more insightful prayers.

“Lord, help me to relax about life’s insignificant details – beginning tomorrow at 7:41:23 am.

Help me to consider the feelings of others – even though they are so hypersensitive.

Help me to take responsibility for my own actions – even though they are rarely my fault!

God, help me to try not to run everything – but if you need some help, just ask.

Help me to be more laid back – even though you know I need to do it

exactly

right.

Keep me open to others’ ideas – wrong though as they usually are.

And God, give me patience –

and I mean now!

“