Lord, thou knowest better than myself that I am growing older and will soon be old. Keep me from becoming too talkative, and especially from the unfortunate habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject and at every opportunity.
Release me from the idea that I must straighten out other peoples’ affairs. With my immense treasure of experience and wisdom, it seems a pity not to let everybody partake of it. But thou knowest, Lord, that in the end I will need a few friends.
Keep me from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.
Grant me the patience to listen to the complaints of others; help me to endure them with charity. But seal my lips on my own aches and pains — they increase with the increasing years and my inclination to recount them is also increasing.
I will not ask thee for improved memory, only for a little more humility and less self-assurance when my own memory doesn’t agree with that of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be wrong.
Keep me reasonably gentle. I do not have the ambition to become a saint — it is so hard to live with some of them — but a harsh old person is one of the devil’s masterpieces.
Make me sympathetic without being sentimental, helpful but not bossy. Let me discover merits where I had not expected them, and talents in people whom I had not thought to possess any. And, Lord, give me the grace to tell them so.
Amen
Margot Benary-Isbert
Jubilee Journey 
A great prayer we should all pray each day. Two things I attempt to live by are: there is generally always two sides and I am never so smart that I can’t learn somthing from a dummy. The third is to listen and not feel a responce is required, giving time and the mind a chance to do it’s thing in both the one who speaks and the one who listened. Great post. Thanks.
Thanks Bill. I always love your comments. You always add to the post with meaningful words that inspire me even more. Glad you were encouraged, have a great week
Amen! I love this prayer because it reminds me that I must embrace life by accepting what is and resisting self. Thanks.
Thanks Vernon, I do appreciate your thoughtful comments. And thanks for tweeting my posts I hope to reciprocate one day but I still don’t get this twitter think LOL – one day I’ll learn. I wish you and your family a God blessed week.
Thought provoking words to guide us all through the process of aging. I find the one who listens best to my aging aches is the one who is creating them.
Our woes are best heard by Him.
Lovely post ….
I’m glad you enjoyed
Love this prayer.
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