BEING OLD IN NAMIBIA

Pray for senior citizens to face the challenges of old age in Namibia. Aging has its own set of challenges.

Some of the universal issues are:

• Retirement and lack of purpose.
• Moving to old age homes, children or left to self.
• Loss of social network.
• Closeness to death - death of a spouse and daily facing death of friends.
• Migration of children - moving away.
• Loneliness.
• Vulnerable to developing mental illnesses like depression.
• High risk of suicide.
• Anxiety disorders.
• Sleeping disorders.
• Escalating problem of dementia.
• Body - joint and other pains.
• Drop in fitness making movement more difficult.
• Malnutrition.
• Left to fend for themselves.

Make each of these issues an item for prayer. Use scripture. Cover our elderly in prayers! Here is a prayer for renewed strength for senior citizens in Namibia:

O Lord, my God,
Please give me the grace to maintain my hope in You
through all of life’s changes.
To taste and see your goodness.
I praise you for the gifts You have showered
on me for so many years.
Help me find joy in a renewed
strength of spirit.
Please bless me with good health.
Inspire me to be a good example to others.
For you are Lord, forever and ever. Amen.

He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age.
Ruth 4:15

Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4

King David died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor. 1 Chronicles 29:28