8 June 2010 (Shleshi/Bikkurim) Day #85, 5934 AM
Our Last Days
A Prayer for Old Age
I was helping my 96 year old mother sort through some of her papers yesterday when I came across a prayer written for an Anglican magazine by an anonymous elderly person who has endured much pain and suffering. So I thought I would share this for the benefit of our elderly readers as well as for those of us who are younger who perhaps do not appreciate as we should what the elderly must go through in their last days. Our time will come and it does no harm to be both prepared as well as to learn to empathise with people who, though infirm, think and feel in exactly the same way as we do. We are apt to forget that they are human beings just like us with exactly the same spiritual and emotional needs.
"O Father of Mercies and God (Elohim) of all Comfort, our only help in time of need, i come unto Thee for help to meet the trials of advancing years. Look graciously upon me and, the more the outward man decays, strengthen me the more continually with Thy Grace in the inner man, giving me courage and patience to bear the infirmities, privations, sorrows and loneliness of old age.
"Help me fight successfully its temptations to be exacting, unreasonable, irritable and complaining. Preserve my mental faculties unimpaired to the end. Keep my heart and affections warm, so that I may never fail to sympathise joys and interests of others and to be deeply grateful for the love and forebearance of those around me. So fit and prepare me against the hour of my death that I may be able to face it fearlessly, trusting in Thy promise to be with me as I pass through the Dark Valley, so that, departing in peace, my soul may be received into Thy Everlasting Kingdom, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ (Yah'shua the Messiah) my Lord and Saviour (Master and Deliverer). Amen."
I would like to encourage the younger to visit the old and give them some time and company. They will sincerely appreciate it. And even if they are not connected because of illnesses like Alzheimer's, we can still pray for them and hold their hand. They may not be able to respond but their spirit can definitely sense our presence and yet be blessed. And they will be able to feel our warmth and love.
I pray for and bless any old people who may be reading this prayer that they may find opportunity to be fulfilled in their last days for many an old person has become a mighty prayer warrior, counsellor and comforter for people of all ages in Messiah Yah'shua. Their ministry is as vital as that of those who are more mobile and energetic for a soul in Messiah is still as alive - if not more so - in old age as when they were young, possessing juch experience and wisdom from which we can all learn and be blessed by. And if any old people want to share their thoughts and experiences with this ministry, they would be very welcome to do so. Just contact us.
May you be increased and filled with simcha (joy) as you daily draw closer to your Redeemer!
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