Litany for Aging

Leader: Then the Lord said, "My spirit shall not abide in mortals forever, for they are flesh; their days shall be 120 years." (Gen. 6:3)

People: Dear Lord, we do need time to grow.

Leader: Honor you father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. (Ex. 20:12)

People: We pray that the long years will be good years.

Leader: The glory of youth is their strength, but the beauty of the aged is their gray hair. (Prov. 20:29)

People: Give us strength and experience.

Leader: Remember the days of old, consider the years long past; ask your father, and he will inform you; your elders, and they will tell you (Deut. 32:7)

People: Remind us to ask, and teach us to listen.

Leader: Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. (Prov. 16:31)

People: Day by day, we strive to be more holy.

Leader: Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old. (Prov. 23:22)

People: We are grateful for parents who teach and nurture in love.

Leader: So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to all the generations to come. (Psalm 71:18)

People: We love to tell the story of Jesus and his love.

Leader: In old age they too produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap. (Psalm 92:14)

People: We must look past the wrinkles and see the soul.

Leader: You who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. (1 Peter 5:5)

People: Yes, we too will soon know and understand ... give us wisdom so that we may serve others as we have been served. Amen.

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