VICAR

Dear Readers of Country Squire Magazine, I trust that You are well and enjoying the summer, wherever You are.

This week I’d like You to pray for the elderly in our society and across the world. I’d especially like You to pray for any elderly people in Your family.

God promises to stay by Your side from birth until your final days. “I will be your God throughout your lifetime — until your hair is white with age,” He says in Isaiah 46:4, adding, “I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.”

You are never alone, even when You feel weary or anxious.

However, as our days get busier with work and other distractions, do We look out as much as We should for the elderly couple in the farm? What about the old lady who lives down your road who is always so friendly when You see her at the shops. How about the widower who is up early and then never seems to leave his home? Perhaps pick them up on the way to church? Ask them if they want to come and see a cricket match with You? Ask them on a sunny evening if they fancy a drink with You and Your family down the pub? Or invite them on a dog walk?

We should honour our elderly more. Loneliness is an unforgivable sin in today’s interconnected society. Let’s work as Christians to bring the elderly back into the world, as they feature strongly in countries that care for and respect their elderly a lot more.

God Bless You all. Enjoy the week ahead.

Father, we pray that You would soften our hearts to our elderly neighbours—that you would stir us to love them in both word and deed. Holy Spirit, move us toward action, help us to slow down, to take the time to offer care and assistance to our elderly neighbours for whom daily life increasingly becomes a struggle. Amen