old age

Growing Older Praying

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. Luke 1:13

We often forget as we read Luke chapter one about the life of John the Baptist’s parents, that God was concerned for the needs of this elderly couple. Maybe in old age they had all but forgotten their prayer for children, but God had not. God had heard their prayer. God was still working on the answer. They didn’t have to follow some special formula. Zacharias and Elizabeth simply needed to remain faithful to what God had given them to do.

Last week we lost our dear friend Helen. She lived 91 wonderful years and remained the listening ear and encouraging voice for her family for all the many years that we knew her. Though Helen was not a Bible-thumper but she did hold an unwavering  desire for her family to know Jesus Christ. She was quiet when others raised their voices. She was gentle when folks were fighting. Helen continued praying for her children and grandchildren. Now that she is gone; she leaves behind the legacy that all six children have made a commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The grandchildren have wandered and it may be that she now sits alongside of Jesus quietly reminding Him to continue interceding for them also.

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Helen sharing a moment with my wife

In the same way all of us who have grown older without seeing the answer to things for which we have prayed can be encouraged that God also remembers us. Neither age nor weakness changes God’s ability to answer prayer. It doesn’t matter how many years pass. When we are praying something in God’s will for our lives He hears us. We are never out of warranty!  Miracles can still happen because God never gives up, never forgets and never forsakes us. Don’t be afraid. He has heard your prayer!

But He is Strong

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 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

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Sometimes we sing the verse “I am weak. but He is strong.”  in a theoretical sense only. We actually feel quite fine and we sing thinking that some day when we are not feeling so chipper maybe then we will need the strength of Jesus. For today we are well – thank you – and then the thought of weakness fades as we go on with our afternoon.

But when I sing those words I sometimes think of my friend Sal. He was in his 98th year when I met him in our nursing home service. His large frame with its wide shoulders was now confined to a wheel chair. Sal sometimes would say, “I don’t know why God still has me here…” Maybe one part of the answer which only God knows for sure is the memories of our worship in the dining room at Allied Skilled services.

Though Sal could no longer walk and he was nearly entirely blind,  he could still sing and his strong bass voice would ring out as we sang the old hymns. As Sal’s voice and others like his filled the air I can picture God cupping His ear to listen while He sits among all His mighty angels bowed in worship.  Then I can see God raising His hand for quiet because he doesn’t want to miss a note of that fragile melody better than anything of the heavenly chorus. To Him those elderly voices shine with the faith of children as they sing, “We are weak -But He is strong!”

I believe that if God listens in heaven, then how much more do we need to pay attention here on earth. God inexplicably brings home some who are young because their work here is finished, but He also chooses for some to tarry, because it pleases Him. Since their faith and song are precious to Him, maybe we need to listen more carefully and value more highly those who are living out those words, “But He is strong!”