No one on earth is like our parents. If your parents are still living, you know that each year they get older. At some point, they will need additional care. We may wish our parents would always be young and healthy, but the reality is that our parents will age.
As they do, you may find yourself wanting or needing to pray for your aging parents. These six tender prayers can be a helpful tool for you to use.
Choose the prayer that best suits your situation. If you need to change the wording of any of the prayers to fit your specific needs, then do so. The focus is to help you pray for your parents.
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20.12, NIV).
Praying for them is a good way to honor your father and mother. Depending on what is going on with your parents, you may need to pray for guidance, strength, or peace.
If you need to pray about your relationship with your mother, you can do that. Or perhaps you need to pray about reconciling a relationship with your parents.
“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” ( 1 Timothy 5.8, NIV).
As your parents age, the relational dynamic can begin to shift. The old adage of “the children begin to parent their parents” is often true in many ways.
We always want to act with respect towards our parents, but that does not mean that we won’t need to make hard decisions on their behalf, or have difficult conversations with them about their health and care.
Praying for your parents may give you the guidance you need.
Short Prayer For Aging Parents
Dear Lord, I pray for my aging parents. They still live in their home and on their own, without any assistance. I’m proud of them for their long life and their confidence in their ability to care for themselves.
But I do worry about them. I don’t want some accident to happen that will cause them to realize they need to think about having someone check on them. I respect them both so much and am wary of having to have “the conversation” with them. I want them to have their independence for as long as it makes good sense.
Please give me the wisdom to know when it is time to step in to make sure they are safe and cared for appropriately. I want to be able to handle it well.
In the meantime, Lord, give them health and happiness in their lives. Let them enjoy each day with joy in following you and spending time together. I pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Prayer For Elderly Mother
Dear God, I come to you in prayer on behalf of my mother, who is getting up there in years. I pray for her safety, as she lives alone since Daddy passed away a few years ago. I thought his passing would have laid her out, but she bounced back after about a year and is living each day in a positive manner.
I think she’s not being fully open with me about her health, and I’ve noticed she’s starting to forget some things that matter, like not locking the door, and turning the stove off. I’ve gently asked her about such matters, but she just excuses it away and goes on to something else.
God, I love my mom, but I don’t want something tragic to happen, like her falling and not being able to get help soon enough. I don’t live close enough to be over there every day and there is no way she is going to go to a senior living place right now. I respect her desire to live in her home, but I’m not sure what to do now.
Please help me love her and honor her, and care for them properly at the same time. I ask all of this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Prayer For Elderly Father
Dear Father God, I want to thank you for my father. He just turned 80 and is full of life and energy. I’m so proud of him and how he embraced retirement and began a new life after his job. All of his activities are a big reason why he is in such good health now, I think.
I’m just so happy to have my dad around now in this season of my life. I’m grateful for our good relationship and relish his continued wisdom in my life. I pray that he continues to live a meaningful and long life. I like hearing about his little adventures each day and how he spreads your grace to the people he encounters.
I wish we lived closer to him but right now that’s not possible. I am thankful for all of the times we get together and his positive influence on my children. I’m glad they are getting to know him well. Please keep him safe and happy. I pray this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Amen.
Prayer For Caretakers of Aging Parents
Dear Lord, I have some hard decisions to make. My parents are now at the point of age and health where they need some regular caretakers in their life.
I live too far away to do it myself and because of my family’s situation and my work and my wife’s work, we are not able to move close to them. I feel bad that I’m going to have to have someone else care for them, but that seems the best option right now.
I need wisdom and direction on who to hire and how often to have them come to my parent’s home. I also pray for grace and the words to say when I talk this through with my mom and dad. I think they know they need help too, but I don’t want to force this on them.
I want to be respectful of them both while I figure out how to help them stay in their home for as long as possible. They are comfortable there and I don’t want to rip them out of that situation.
Help me know what to do. I pray for the right people to come across our path as we seek and interview potential caretakers. I want there to be a good fit for my parents. I want them to feel at peace with this.
Help me I pray, Lord Jesus, Amen.
Prayer For Strength to Care for Aging Parents
Dear God in heaven, I need the strength that I do not have. As the child who lives closest to them, I am the one who is going to have to be the caretaker for them now. My brother and sister are very supportive and are pitching in with plenty of money to help me cover necessary expenses for all of this, so that is very helpful. I’m grateful for their support.
But I know that it’s going to be hard to care for my parents because they are a bit resistant to admitting that they even need help. I’m trying to proceed carefully and respectfully, but they cannot fully take care of themselves.
Help me understand what I need to do and what parts of their daily lives I can let them handle. I believe their sense of independence is very important to their vitality and life.
I think it’s going to be hit and miss so please work in their hearts and minds to accept that I’m loving them and trying to do what is best for them. I love them, Lord, but I know I cannot do this on my own strength. I need you each day, Lord. I pray all of this in the name of Jesus, My Strength and Shield, Amen.
Prayer For Guidance About Assisted Living For Parents
Dear Lord God, my heart is heavy as I make this prayer. I need to find and arrange for assisted living for both of my parents. They simply cannot care for themselves anymore on a daily basis. Having a caretaker come into their home isn’t feasible either because they require a higher level of care now.
I tried to keep them in their house as long as possible, but it’s just not safe for either one of them. Help me find a suitable and affordable place for them. I don’t want to get them into a place where they will be ignored or not cared for. And, I know there are good assisted living places and bad ones. I need guidance to be able to know the difference and see the truth of each place.
I hurt for my parents because this is not what they want, but they have said to me that they understand that it is necessary. I hope and pray they don’t give up in the process of this move to assisted living.
Please surround this whole process with your wisdom and mercy, Lord. I pray for my parents’ health and care in this whole process. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Final Thoughts
Whatever decisions you face about your aging parents, praying to God is a vital step. Our parents will always be our parents, yet there will be times when we need to make decisions about their lives and care they may not like at first.
“Listen to your father; without him you would not exist. When your mother is old, show her your appreciation” (Proverbs 23.22, GNB).
Ultimately, though, we can trust God to guide us to make the choices necessary that are in their best interests.
May these prayers be an encouragement to you as you pray to the Loving Father. We invite your comments and prayer requests in the section at the end of this article.
