Prayer of the Elderly

Dear Lord,

as my life declines

and my energies decrease,

more than ever

hold me by Your Power,

that I may not offend You,

but daily increase in Your Love.

Give me strength to work in Your Service

till the last day of my life.

Help me to ever have

an increasing dread of venial sin,

or whatever would cause

the slightest withdrawal of Your Love,

all day long,

and at night keep me close to Your Heart;

and should I die,

ere the morning breaks,

may I go rejoicing

in that vision of Your entrancing beauty,

never to be separated from You.

Amen.