Prayers - Stages

THREE STAGES OF LIFE

God above, You have given us a panorama of possibility,
choice and progression.

STAGE ONE

Our first years are all about growth and development:
a time of experiment, self-discovery,
learning, improvement and change.

You bring us innocent into the world and we begin making choices about ourselves and who we are to become.

We are schooled, we take our first jobs,
we construct a circle of friends.

God of Possibility, thank you for Your gifts,
physical and mental, and and Your divine guidance
to me in the uncertain formation of my life.

Thank you for creating me
and setting me free to learn and grow and become a person.

STAGE TWO

Coming into middle-age I was secure in myself
and able to use my talents unselfconsciously
in what I hope was productive work,
helpful to others and pleasing to You.

I enjoyed the challenges, the comradeships,
the goals and the changes, brave adventures
and the stimulating atmosphere of adult achievement,
the meeting of mature expectations
and the satisfaction of accomplishment and success.

God of Life, thank you for Your continued guidance
in my choices and actions.

STAGE THREE

With my official work life over,
I come into the final phase of my existence here on earth:
The Golden Age of Seniority, Privilege, and "free time."
New vistas and new opportunities present themselves:
time to make room for all the things that were "put off"
when life was far too busy.

But energy flags, the senses are less sharp...
The body is less flexible and the mind less agile...
Illness and pain seem to come with this new territory
and its frightening finality.

Guide me to make the best choices in this new landscape.

The thought of the final curtain is inescapable.
The news from relatives and friends
is not so cheerful as before,
and one by one they take their bows and make their exits,
leaving empty places at the tables of our lives.

Heads up! Give me the resilience to support those in need
with cheerful inspiration and good friendship.
Let not my optimism flag.

Yet still, the future looms uncertainly.
Please, God of Life, give me the vision
and the vigor to "keep on keeping on."

I pray You now for special energy, guidance and support
as I navigate the perils of this final journey forward.

You are my Anchor and my Lifeline.
You are my Destiny and my Destination.
You are my Hope and my Salvation.

I place all my trust in you, dear Jesus,
Master, Holy Spirit, God on high:

I see you standing on a shore ahead,
arms outstretched as in welcome
as You stand on a mountain-top in Brazil.

Guide, me my God of Destiny and Salvation.
Keep my craft afloat and my compass turned toward You
that I may complete my life's journey safely,
and sail victoriously into Heaven's Harbor,
and into Your divine waiting embrace.

Amen

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