Prayer for our Aged Care System
Written by Rev. Dr Ji Zhang, Assembly theologian-in-residence
O loving Lord,
You are the source of life,
sustaining us in every stage of life’s journey;
You are the mother earth,
ageing trees with time and nourishment,
and embracing each fallen leaf back to its roots.
O loving Lord,
today we pray for our senior citizens,
keep those living in isolation in your sight, enfold others in your safety.
In this pandemic, we remember the frontline staff,
protect these ordinary heroes
as they leave home and care for the elderly.
O loving Lord,
we also lament for the Royal Commission findings.
We hear stories of abuse and neglect;
We hear of greed for profit at the expense of quality care;
We hear of ill-fated policies shifting the duty from the government to consumers;
We hear of a culture that keeps the aged away from their families.
Forgive us, Lord,
through the prophets,
you have taught Israel – do not rebuke the elderly harshly,
but exhort them as if they were our own parents.
In Jesus, we have learned the Son of Man
did not come to be served but to serve;
and God made the old to have hopes and dream dreams.
Lead us, Lord,
Direct our energy about past regrets
into blessings to the people near us;
Turn our attention from fault finding,
to seeing each person made in your divine image;
Stop us from only using money to fix the problem,
Build the capacity of our families and communities for care.
Guide us, Lord,
since the ancient times, your grace rises in the presence of the aged,
and your blessing is honoured among the elderly.
Through ancient cultures, we have learned:
Respect for the elderly is the foundation of all social goodness.
Raise us in your grace, Lord, as we rebuild a culture of respect;
Send your blessings, as we honour life together with you.
Amen.