A Prayer for Later Years
Lord, thou knowest that I am growing older.
Keep me from becoming too talkative, especially from
falling into the tiresome habit of expressing an opinion
on every subject. Release me from the craving to
straighten out everybody’s affairs. Keep my mind free
from the recital of endless details. Give me wings to
get to the point.

Give me grace, dear Lord, to listen to others describe
their aches and pains. Help me endure the boredom
with patience and keep my lips sealed, for my aches
and pains are increasing in numbers and intensity, and
the pleasure of discussing them is becoming sweeter
as the years go by.

Teach me the glorious lesson that, occasionally, I might
be mistaken. Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not wish
to be a saint (saints are hard to live with), but a sour
older person is the devil’s work.

Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not
pushy; independent, yet able to accept favors that
others wish to bestow on me with graciousness.
Free me of the notion that I am wiser than those who
have not lived so long because I have lived a long time.
If I do not approve of some of the changes that have
taken place in recent years, give me the wisdom to
keep my mouth shut.

Lord knows that I would like to have a friend or two left
when the end comes.

Fr. Greg