WISDOM: 17TH CENTURY PRAYER

Mary Marcia
America's STORYTELLER
Telling Untold Stories in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking

http://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/

I found this 17th Century Prayer  two decades ago, when I was working as a Community Life Director at a retirement community for senior citizens.  
 

Copyright 1997 Marcia Norwood

I hoped the humor and wisdom in this prayer would help residents who had become  sour in their old age.

I asked GOD to remind me when I got older - to heed the advice in this centuries old prayer.  

The title of the prayer is traditional.  

The author is unknown.

Here's the prayer I'm praying for myself today.

Who else will pray through it with me?

Click on each image to enlarge. 

17th CENTURY PRAYER

LORD, 

Thou knowest better than I know myself

that I am growing older, 

and will some day be old.

Keep me from the fatal habit 

of thinking 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 Thou knowest, LORD, 

that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free 

from the recital of endless details.

Give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips on my aches and pains.

They are increasing, 

and love of rehearsing them

is becoming sweeter as the years go by.

I dare not ask for grace enough 

to enjoy the tales of others’ pains,

but 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, I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet.

I do not want to be a saint…

some of them are too hard to live with.

But a sour, old person 

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.

Amen

Thanks for stopping by.

Come back often, and invite a friend.
 

Mary Marcia

America's STORYTELLER

Telling Untold Stories in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking