The Word of the Lord

A PRAYER AT 80

by Helen Collings

Born March 2, 1915

Today, dear Lord, I’m 80, and there’s

much I haven’t done.

I hope, dear Lord, you’ll let me live until

I’m 81.

March 2, 1996

But then, if I haven’t finished all I want to do,

Would you let me stay awhile - until I’m 82.

March 2, 1997

So many places yet to visit, so very

much to see -

Do you think that you could manage to

make it 83.

March 2, 1998

The world is changing very fast; there is

so much in store.

I’d like it very much to live until I’m 84.

March 2, 1999

And if by then I find I’m still alive,

I’d really like to stay until I’m 85.

March 2, 2000

More change here, more change there,

I’d really like to stick,

And see what happens to the world

when I’m 86.

March 2, 2001

I know, dear Lord, it’s much to ask (it

must be nice in heaven)

But, really, I would like to stay until I’m 87.

March 2, 2002

I know by then I won’t be fast and

sometimes will be late,

But it would be so pleasant to be around at 88.

March 2, 2003

Time becomes more precious as the seasons come and go. Each dawning day is a special gift when the twilight shadows grow. Looking back I see God’s hand in happiness and sorrow. I know He has a purpose for my life and a plan for each tomorrow. Faithfully, He brought me through the valley in my life. He took my heart and molded it through pain, grief, and strife. He met me on the mountaintop to catch a fleeting view of Love and Joy unspeakable, that thrilled me through and through. Throughout life’s changing seasons, I found God ever near into the sunset of my years. I AM WALKING WITHOUT A FEAR.

Helen Collings is a precious friend of mine personally and has been a supporter of Barbara Maddox Ministries for many years. Her prayers have been a support that I have held to many times and on any assignment from teaching a Sunday School class to a trip on the mission field, I knew she would be faithfully praying for God’s will to be done and for many souls to be saved, baptized, filled with the Holy Spirit and then to go forth in their call for the Lord’s work.

Helen is truly one of those rare jewels that God gives to us and we treasure for a life time.