Heavenly Father, help me
better understand
and believe I can do what you ask me to do.
Forgive me
for the times, even now,
when I question your judgment.
As I go about the many daily
tasks of caregiving,
give me energy.
As I watch my loved one
oh-so-slowly walk
across the room, give me strength.
As I answer his/her repeated
question
just one more time, give me patience.
As I look for solutions to
whatever
is the most recent concern, give me wisdom.
As I reminisce with him/her
about the
“good old days,” give me a moment of laughter.
As I get to know my loved one
in a new way,
seeing both his/her strength and frailty, give me joy.
As I sit beside my loved one’s
bed waiting
for his/her pain medication to take effect,
give me comfort.
Lighten my
burden, answer my prayer,
and give me the strength to do what
so often seems impossible.
Give me a
quiet place to rest when I need it
and a quieting of my anxieties when I’m there.
Change my
attitude from a tired,
frustrated and angry caregiver
to the loving and compassionate
one I want to be.
Remain my
constant companion as I face
the challenges of caregiving
and when my job is through
and it’s time for me to let go,
help me remember
he/she is leaving my loving arms
to enter your eternal embrace. Amen.
