Thou knowest better than I know myself that
I am growing older, and will some day be old.

Keep Me from getting talkative, and particularly from
the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on
every subject on every occasion.

Release me from craving to try to straighten
out everybody's affairs.

Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful but not bossy.
With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all...
but Thou knowest, LORD, that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details...
give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips to my many aches and pains...
they are increasing and my love of rehearsing them
is becoming sweeter as the years go by.

I ask for grace enough to listen to the tales of other's pains.
Help me to endure them with patience.

Teach Me the glorious lesson that occasionally it is possible
that I may be mistaken. Keep me reasonably sweet, I do not want
to be a Saint...some of them are so hard to live with,
but a sour old woman is one of the crowning works of the devil.

Help Me to extract all possible fun out of life. There are so
many funny things around us, and I don't want to miss any of them.

Amen

Author ~ Phyllis J. Kirk
Source ~ Inspiration Daily