Editor's Note: I wrote and published this post in October 2019. I celebrated my mother's 100th birthday with her on September 21, 2022. She went to be with the Lord for her eternal reward in the early morning on October 4,2022. Now that she is with the Lord I have revised this post for those you are still blessed with a living parent.
At the writing of this post, I am 78 years old, and was blessed to celebrate my mother's 100th birthday. That celebration was one of the highlights of my life. I will never forget my mother's smile and the Happy Birthday song and as she ate her ice cream and cake. Although she has some memory issues, she still knew my sister, brother, who lives in San Diego, and me. With the help of my brother-in-law, she called us often. She can still get around and was still in reasonably good health for a 100-year-old.
I prayed for her all the time. I thank God for her life, and all the things I learned from her.
I read an article written by Dawn Wilson that can give you some ideas of how and what those of you who still have living and your aging parents. I added the full text of the scriptures that Dawn references.
A Prayer For Your Aging Parent
By Dawn Wilson
Psalm 92:12-15 (NLT2)12 But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.13 For they are transplanted to the LORD’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God.14 Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.15 They will declare, “The LORD is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him!” (emphasis mine)
One of the greatest privileges of my adult life has been to pray for my elderly mom. Although we are separated by many miles and the burden of physical caring for her falls mostly on my precious sister, I do what I can and I love to pray for Mom.
Here are some of the things I’ve found useful to pray over the years. Perhaps they will be a template for prayers for your parent.
Father God... I Pray For PROTECTION.
I pray my parent will keep on leaning on You, the Rock of strength and righteousness
Psalm 71:3 (NLT2)3 Be my rock of safety where I can always hide. Give the order to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
Psalm 73:26 (NLT2)26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
Spread your protection over my parent, because You are the ultimate Refuge
Psalm 5:11 (NLT2)11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
Psalm 46:1 (NLT2) God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
I ask you to protect my parent from the evil one, and show the way out in moments of temptation.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NLT2)3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT2)13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
May wisdom, discretion and understanding protect and guide every day.
Proverbs 4:6 (NLT2)6 Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you.
Proverbs 2:11 (NLT2)11 Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.
I pray my parent will be courageous, confident in Your presence, help and deliverance
Psalm 121:1-8 (NLT2)1 I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!3 He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.5 The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.6 The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.7 The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.8 The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT2)6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Isaiah 41:10 (NLT2)10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Psalm 34:19 (NLT2)19 The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time.
Psalm 91:1-16 (NLT2)1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.2 This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.7 Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.8 Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.9 If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter,10 no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.12 They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.13 You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!14 The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.16 I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”
At the writing of this post, I am 78 years old, and was blessed to celebrate my mother's 100th birthday. That celebration was one of the highlights of my life. I will never forget my mother's smile and the Happy Birthday song and as she ate her ice cream and cake. Although she has some memory issues, she still knew my sister, brother, who lives in San Diego, and me. With the help of my brother-in-law, she called us often. She can still get around and was still in reasonably good health for a 100-year-old.
I prayed for her all the time. I thank God for her life, and all the things I learned from her.
I read an article written by Dawn Wilson that can give you some ideas of how and what those of you who still have living and your aging parents. I added the full text of the scriptures that Dawn references.
A Prayer For Your Aging Parent
By Dawn Wilson
Psalm 92:12-15 (NLT2)12 But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.13 For they are transplanted to the LORD’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God.14 Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.15 They will declare, “The LORD is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him!” (emphasis mine)
One of the greatest privileges of my adult life has been to pray for my elderly mom. Although we are separated by many miles and the burden of physical caring for her falls mostly on my precious sister, I do what I can and I love to pray for Mom.
Here are some of the things I’ve found useful to pray over the years. Perhaps they will be a template for prayers for your parent.
Father God... I Pray For PROTECTION.
I pray my parent will keep on leaning on You, the Rock of strength and righteousness
Psalm 71:3 (NLT2)3 Be my rock of safety where I can always hide. Give the order to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
Psalm 73:26 (NLT2)26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
Spread your protection over my parent, because You are the ultimate Refuge
Psalm 5:11 (NLT2)11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
Psalm 46:1 (NLT2) God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
I ask you to protect my parent from the evil one, and show the way out in moments of temptation.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NLT2)3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT2)13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
May wisdom, discretion and understanding protect and guide every day.
Proverbs 4:6 (NLT2)6 Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you.
Proverbs 2:11 (NLT2)11 Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.
I pray my parent will be courageous, confident in Your presence, help and deliverance
Psalm 121:1-8 (NLT2)1 I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!3 He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.5 The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.6 The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.7 The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.8 The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT2)6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Isaiah 41:10 (NLT2)10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Psalm 34:19 (NLT2)19 The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time.
Psalm 91:1-16 (NLT2)1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.2 This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.7 Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.8 Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.9 If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter,10 no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.12 They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.13 You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!14 The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.16 I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”
I Pray For PROVISION—That You Will Meet My Loved One’s Needs.
Show me how to meet my parent’s needs in ways that will please You, Lord. Equip me to be a good steward in my loved one’s care.
1 Timothy 4:5 (NLT2)5 For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.
1 Timothy 5:1-2 (NLT2)1 Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers.
2 Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.
There is much I can do, but You are the Great Provider. Thank you for your willingness to supply my parent’s needs for Your glory and my loved one’s joy.
Romans 8:32 (NLT2)32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?
Matthew 6:31-32 (NLT2)31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
Matthew 7:11 (NLT2)11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.
Philippians 4:19 (NLT2)19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
John 14:13-14 (NLT2)13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!
John 16:23-24 (NLT2)23 At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name.
24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
I pray my parent will be made holy through Your grace and receive Your good favor.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NLT2)23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
Psalm 84:11 (NLT2)11 For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.
I Pray For Continuing PURPOSE.
I ask you to help my parent flourish with an eternal perspective.
Psalm 92:12-15 (NLT2)12 But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.13 For they are transplanted to the LORD’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God.14 Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.
15 They will declare, “The LORD is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him!”
Work in my loved one’s life for Your glory.
2 Corinthians 4:16 (NLT2)16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.
.
Open appropriate opportunities for ministry and influence.
Help my parent live as a holy and faithful role model, Father, for as long as you allow.
Titus 2:2-5 (NLT2)2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.3 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good.4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children,5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.
I pray my parent, from a wealth of experience, will share important life lessons You still want me to learn.
Father, I Thank You for Jesus, Who Makes Possible Our God-Honoring Transition from This World to Everlasting Glory. As I Pray These Things for My Parent, I Pray Them for Myself as Well. I Pray We All Will Someday Hear Your “Well Done.” Amen!
Show me how to meet my parent’s needs in ways that will please You, Lord. Equip me to be a good steward in my loved one’s care.
1 Timothy 4:5 (NLT2)5 For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.
1 Timothy 5:1-2 (NLT2)1 Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers.
2 Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.
There is much I can do, but You are the Great Provider. Thank you for your willingness to supply my parent’s needs for Your glory and my loved one’s joy.
Romans 8:32 (NLT2)32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?
Matthew 6:31-32 (NLT2)31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
Matthew 7:11 (NLT2)11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.
Philippians 4:19 (NLT2)19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
John 14:13-14 (NLT2)13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!
John 16:23-24 (NLT2)23 At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name.
24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
I pray my parent will be made holy through Your grace and receive Your good favor.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NLT2)23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
Psalm 84:11 (NLT2)11 For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.
I Pray For Continuing PURPOSE.
I ask you to help my parent flourish with an eternal perspective.
Psalm 92:12-15 (NLT2)12 But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.13 For they are transplanted to the LORD’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God.14 Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.
15 They will declare, “The LORD is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him!”
Work in my loved one’s life for Your glory.
2 Corinthians 4:16 (NLT2)16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.
.
Open appropriate opportunities for ministry and influence.
Help my parent live as a holy and faithful role model, Father, for as long as you allow.
Titus 2:2-5 (NLT2)2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.3 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good.4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children,5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.
I pray my parent, from a wealth of experience, will share important life lessons You still want me to learn.
Father, I Thank You for Jesus, Who Makes Possible Our God-Honoring Transition from This World to Everlasting Glory. As I Pray These Things for My Parent, I Pray Them for Myself as Well. I Pray We All Will Someday Hear Your “Well Done.” Amen!
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