Aging Prayer

Oh, God, awaken within me the gift of these years.
Teach me to trust so I can face my fears.
Teach me to “be” so I can live.
Teach me to receive as in this I also give.

Let me slow down, savor the moment
Then I can hear your whispers spoken.
Help me to embrace this “sage-ing”
And share it with the youthful aging.

Grace me with humility
And lead me to your tranquility.
For in this utter surrender,
I come to accept your grace so tender.

Give me courage to face my unanswered questions.
Guide me to the soul-filled suggestions.
Balance has always been a challenge.
Create it in me as my life re-arranges.

Loosen my grip, set my spirit free
So I can discover who I’m called to be.
It’s not easy to lose independence.
But I want to trust it’s for greater transcendence.

How grateful am I for the gifts I receive?
Deepen my faith so I can always believe.

Aging well has no map.
Just be my source to bridge the gap.

Amen.

(Originally published in the Fall 2015 issue of HOPE magazine.)