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From the Pastor’s Heart…..

 Prayer of an Aging Woman

 Lord, you know better than I know myself that I am growing older and will some day be old. Keep me from getting talkative, particularly from the fatal habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.

Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs.  Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful, but not bossy.  With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it all, but you know, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end. Keep my mind from the recital of endless details — give me wings to come to the point.

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

I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others.  Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally it is possible that I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet.  I do not want to be a saint—some of them are so hard to live with—but a sour old woman is one of the crowning works of the devil.

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people.  And give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so. —Anonymous seventeenth-century nun

Morgan, R.J. 2000.  Nelson’s complete book of stories, illustrations, and quotes (electronic ed.) 

Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nashville.

Recently I ran across this prayer, and it caught my eye.  Although it is titled “Prayer of an Aging Woman,” I see no reason to limit it  to women.  I don’t mind changing the gender forms to “men” and making it my prayer as well.  What we must remember is that this prayer does not produce fruit by just repeating it. We must take the intentional steps, led by the Holy Spirit, to implement spiritual and godly disciplines in our lives.  Any fruit of that labor is still only by the grace of God.

Can you make this your prayer and then take steps to bring forth fruit in your life?

Tim Kennell

For questions or comments you may email the pastor at timbev2@yahoo.com or the webmaster at hffinc@i-c.net