Online Articles
An Old Man’s Prayer
As I have entered my senior years, it is inevitable that as I look back on my life, I have some regrets or at best, some things that I would do better given my knowledge and experience. My prayer might be as follows (this is in retrospect, and also, some are added from a general viewpoint, not my personal experience, rather what I have seen in others)….
Dear Lord,
I praise your name and your glory and honor. I thank you for creation, but especially the gift of Your Son, and everything He means to us. I thank you for your grace and mercy.
Especially I want to ask your forgiveness:
- For massive amounts of time that I wasted on worldly pursuits that seemed so important at the time, but now I can see were diversions from things that should have been more important to me.
Col. 3:1-2 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are
on earth.
- For times that I could have studied your word more and with more purpose.
2 Tim 2:15 Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
- For thinking that somehow my identity was enhanced by my recreation, my choice of sports and sports teams, my choice of popular music, my choice of movies and TV shows.
Phil. 2:15 that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear
as lights in the world,
- For the time, effort and finances that I robbed from my family in pursuit of my own desires at their expense. Forgive me for my justification of such pursuits.
2 Tim 3:2-4 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
- For thinking I could make deals with You for advancing my financial position in exchange for giving more to the contribution.
2 Cor. 9:7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
- For petty jealousies that separated me from fellow Christians and hindered Your work.
1 Peter 2:1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.
- For thinking that I knew more than those who were older, more mature and more experienced. Forgive me for ignoring or challenging their counsel.
1 Tim 5:1 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father
- For not understanding how important my attendance was in setting an example for my family.
Heb. 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another
to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
- For not understanding how my example could influence many people of which I wasn’t aware of until years later.
1 Tim 4:12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
- For thinking that my job and career was critically important and that their demands of exorbitant amounts of time and energy were more important than anything else in my life.
Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one
and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
- For not actively seeking how I could help (financially or time and attention) my fellow Christians.
John 13:34 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one
and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
- For not being more diligent about pursuing and teaching the lost.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
- For not being an active spiritual leader of my family. I could have been more active in teaching my children and other people’s children.
Eph. 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
- For setting an example of hospitality that only included our good friends who enjoyed similar pursuits rather than considering “the least of these.”
Matt. 25:40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to
you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers you
did it to me.’
- For allowing my children to be involved in so many interests, that we pursued those activities to the detriment of our family’s spiritual wellbeing.
Psalms 101:3 I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not
cling to me.
Lord, You have been merciful to me, and I hope to pursue efforts and outcomes that will allow me to do what you would have me to do with the remainder of my time on this earth.
I regret that the opportunities which I have missed can never be rejoined but help me to determine how I can teach younger Christians effectively to avoid my errors and immature pursuits. Let me help them realize that they can profit from my mistakes and do a better job in Your service.
Amen,
Mike Benson
