“Lord, you know me better than I know myself You know that I am growing older, and will someday be really old.
Keep me from talking too much and especially from the habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.
Make me thoughtful, but not irritable; helpful, but not interfering. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all – but You know, Lord, that if do I will have few friends left.
Seal my lips on all my many aches, pains and complaints – they are increasing, and my enthusiasm for reviewing them is growing more pleasurable as the years go by.
Teach me the important lesson that occasionally, it is possible that I just might be wrong and make a mistake now and again.
Keep me reasonably amiable; I do not want to be a saint – some of them are so hard to live with, but a sour faced old so and so is likely to be a lonely old so and so.
And help me, Lord, to extract all the possible joy, fun and happiness out of life.
There are so many wonderful things in this world, and I don’t want to miss out on any of them.
Amen.”