Read:  Psalm 139:1-18

Reflect:    Many of us often joke about having “senior moments”.  You know – those times we go into a room and then can’t remember what it was we were going to do there…  or the times when the name of someone we’ve known for years escapes us… or we can’t remember what we had for breakfast.  Our jokes often mask a deeper fear:  that the day will come when our memories truly fail us and we lose touch even with the ones we love the most.

The psalmist in today’s reading expresses confidence in being entirely known in body, mind and spirit by a loving God.   In all of creation, there is no place where we are outside the firm grasp of God’s hand.  Not even the darkness of memory loss or death can hide us from God’s sight.  Thanks be to God!

Prayers:

(Prayer for a loved one suffering from memory loss)

God our strength, you know us better than we know ourselves.  As we adjust and grieve the memory loss afflicting    name    , remind us that    name    is well known to you, even as we become strangers.  Bless us with the memories we carry of our life together.  Sustain us when we are forgotten, and give us courage and strength to care for    name    in the difficult months ahead.  Hold    name    in your gracious embrace, loved and known to the end.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.   

OR… 

(Prayer of a person encountering memory loss)

Holy God, you have known me since before I was born.  You have been with me throughout my life.  Protect me and keep me safe through all the changes that may come.  In Christ you made me your own.  Help me to trust that who I am will never be lost to you.  Amen.

(Both prayers from All Creation Sings, p. 54.  ©2020 Augsburg Fortress, used by permission.)