Dear Friends
A Caregiver's Prayer
as the New Year Begins
Week of January 11, 2021
Prayer Requests
Dear Friends:
It seems amazing but the Friends of St. John the Caregiver has just completed its fifteenth year. My wife Monica and I began it in 2005. And as you may know, it includes CatholicCaretivers.com, YourAgaingParenet.com and FSJC.org.
As you may also know, Monica passed away in 2013. So, for the second half of its history, I've been working from "down here" and she's been busy keeping all this going from "up there."
Early on, we wrote this prayer for caregivers and it always meant a lot to us when we were taking care of a loved one. When I was helping Monica.
We hope, we pray, it will bring you comfort in 2021.
Just let me know if you would like a free copy of it.
(Everything we offer is free. Another of Monica's ideas. A wise woman.)
And there's a video of the prayer here. (It says send a self-addressed-stamped envelope to get a copy. That's not necessary.)
As always, you remain in our prayers.
--Monica (up there) and Bill (down here)
A Caregiver's Prayer
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.
- - -
This week we're so pleased to welcome Theresa S. in Virginia, April Rose K. in Texas, Rev. Raymond E. in the District of Columbia and Elizabeth L. in Michigan as the newest members of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver. Please keep them and their intentions in your prayers. They have promised to pray for you and yours.
And again this week we cordially invite you to join the Friends of St. John the Caregiver! (FSJC's programs include YourAgingParent.com and CatholicCaregivers.com.) You can find out more about becoming a member here.
No meetings, no dues. All we ask is that you pray for caregivers and those receiving care. Our members include caregivers, care-receivers, and those who support both (including quite a few former caregivers).
You can:
sign up online here
or call us toll-free at 1-800-392-JOHN (5646)
or
print and mail an application form.