Volume XXXVIII, #41: An Old Man's Prayer

The Reminder

Mike Benson
10/14/18 - The Reminder

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:

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. (Colossians 3:1-2)
For times that I could have studied your word more and with more purpose. (2 Timothy 2:15)
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)
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 Timothy 3:2-4)
For thinking I could make deals with You for advancing my financial position in exchange for
giving more to the contribution. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
For petty jealousies that separated me from fellow Christians and hindered Your work. (1 Peter
2:1)
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 Timothy 5:1)
For not understanding how important my attendance was in setting an example for my family.
(Hebrews 10:24-25)
For not understanding how my example could influence many people of which I wasn’t aware of until years later. (1 Timothy 4:12)
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)
For not actively seeking how I could help (financially or time and attention) my fellow Christians. (John 13:34)
For not being more diligent about pursuing and teaching the lost. (Luke 19:10)
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. (Ephesians 6:4)
For setting an example of hospitality that only included our good friends who enjoyed similar
pursuits rather than considering “the least of these.” (Matthew 25:40)
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. (Psalm 101:3)
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