On Sunday evening, March 7, we gathered together for our first prayer night of 2021 to pray for the challenges and opportunities of aging. Prayer points and scripture readings from the meeting are below for your continued use.

“The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:10-12)

The Spiritual Challenges of Aging

Humility that remembers our mortality and need for salvation from the curse of death
Grace to find our identity in Christ and not in chasing or clinging to youthfulness
Deliverance from spiritual apathy that grows cold over time toward the things of God
Deep gratitude for the gift of life and the opportunity to glorify and enjoy God
Awe at the eternal nature of our Creator King in whom there is no shadow of turning
Abiding assurance of life after death through faith in a resurrected Savior
Unwavering trust in God despite the prolonged absence of temporal blessings we desire

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith…” (Phil 1:21-25)

The Spiritual Opportunities of Aging

Unselfishness that rejects the allure of ease and embraces the joy of spending and being spent for Jesus’ sake
Holy anticipation for the Spirit using us to serve the church in new ways
Humility to seek wisdom from those who are older and compassion to share wisdom with those who are younger
Financial generosity that stores up treasures in heaven, not on earth
Courage to share the comfort of Christ with those who are afraid of dying
Strength to care for family members who need significant help and are less than compliant
Sacrificial love that takes notice of weaker members of our body and cares for those who are less able to reciprocate in kind

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Cor 4:16-18)

The Physical Challenges of Aging

Gladness in Jesus that exceeds the pain of increasing bodily weakness
Contentment to serve within new, God-given limits of physical strength and energy instead of grumbling
Joy in anticipating our bodily resurrection
Patience with spouses and friends who are physically unable to do things they used to do
Trust in God as the one who provides for us, not our retirement account
Humility in growing dependence on other people to do things we used to do for ourselves
Wisdom in making hard end-of-life decisions

March 2021 Prayer Night Points