Dementia Action Week Prayers
This year, people from across the Diocese of Lichfield have contributed prayers from the heart, with our “Share a Prayer through Dementia” initiative.
Bishop Michael invited prayers, writing: “Prayer is the first response of the human being to the God who has created and loves us, and it can be the last response too. Words may be forgotten, memories fail, thoughts be confused, but the Spirit always comes to us in our weakness to help us to pray. Dementia is no bar to our praying; rather, it is a place from which and through which we can pray from the heart.”
From this, the following three prayers are our Diocese of Lichfield prayers for Dementia Action Week, 15-21 May 2023.
Prayer written by a child, contributed by St Paul’s School, a Church of England school in Longton, Stoke on Trent
Please help those with dementia,
watch over them and keep them safe.
Help the people who care for them,
giving them peace and patience.
Amen.
Prayer written by Di Holt, a Reader at St Luke’s Church, Cannock, whose husband lives with dementia
God of the heart and of mind,
you know us completely;
though memory fades
your spirit dwells within us.
You are present in the glimpses of hope, and
with us in the joy and uncertainty of new seasons.
In the sadness and the loss
your steadfast love enfolds us;
your faithfulness endures 'til journey's end
where you have prepared a place for us.
Give us your peace and help us grow
in your likeness each and every day
through the grace of your Son our Saviour,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Prayer writtten by Ann Shephard, a Deacon in the Methodist Church in Shifnal who lives with dementia
Lord, as doubt and the perplexity of daily life
become even more confusing and uncertain,
thank you for being always present
and gently guiding and protecting me.
Thank you for family and friends who continue
to love, support and encourage me
without judgement or disdain.
I pray that I may always be aware
of your loving, guiding presence in this life
and that I will come to meet with you in the next.
Amen.
Ann also contributed this prayer from (St Francis de Sales 1567-1622)
Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;
the same everlasting Father who cares for you today
will take care of you then and everyday.
He will either shield you from suffering,
or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imagination.
Amen.
Further prayers from the Share a Prayer through Dementia initiative are available to be used in Dementia Action Week or other times.