Prayers

A friend recently asked me to pray for someone who is transitioning into the end of life. This is a situation that we do not like and are not comfortable with. We know that we all will die one day and that our loved ones will all die, but we don't like watching it happen.

The impending loss of someone that we love, can be terrifying to our own sense of well being. What will we do without them? We don't want them to suffer. We don't want to lose them.

Yet the fact of the matter is that sometimes people begin to fail healthwise. Sometimes they can’t live where they used to live. Sometimes they can’t take care of themselves. Sometimes their health takes a serious turn for the worse.  Modern medicine has the ability to prolong life far longer than in the past.  I’ve been asked many times over the years to pray for people whose health is in decline.

One day I will be one of those people and so will you. So it’s good that we pray for them. Sometimes the families want me to pray that their loved one will be healed and live forever. Once someone asked me to pray for their grandmother - for their grandmother to get well. I asked how old her grandmother was - the answer... 92 years old.  

I do pray for those who are aging, and who are in failing health. And I am very appreciative that I am in relatively good health for being almost 66. It’s something to be thankful for, grateful for.

So let’s pray for those whose health is failing: "Lord please bless them, touch them in their body and their mind. Strengthen their hearts and their knees - ease the pain of arthritis. Give them clarity of thought and sight. But mostly let them know that you are with them. Let them know that they are not alone. Let them know that the God of the universe stands by their side. We pray for their recovery, for this is what we desire. But we also put our faith and trust in you, no matter what. May we find comfort in knowing that you are present with them and with us in every stage of the journey of life, in Jesus name. Amen."

Life is beautiful, but it does come to and end. Prayer can help us along the way. Trusting in God, no matter what, is always the best policy. May we all be grateful for our lives and the lives of our loved ones.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.