Commontide

For Guidance

O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices; that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path we may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Touch screen to pause

Skip to main content
Commontide
Prayer
Prayers

For the Elderly

Look with mercy, O God our Father, on all whose increasing years bring them weakness, distress, or isolation. Provide for them homes of dignity and peace; give them understanding helpers, and the willingness to accept help; and as their strength diminishes, increase their faith and their assurance of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

BCP 2019, p. 663

Provenance

BCP 1979 / ACNA 2019

Draft — AI-assisted research under editorial review.

This gentle prayer for those in the later years of life first appeared in the American Book of Common Prayer of 1979, titled "For the Aged." The Anglican Church in North America carried it into its 2019 prayer book almost word for word, renaming it "For the Elderly" and adding a blank to name someone by name.