SynapseSite: Alzheimer's / Dementia Support

Praying the Long Goodbye

Dementia caregivers face unique challenges that test, and sometimes destroy, faith. In "Praying the Long Goodbye" I place these challenges in conversation with Christian spirituality, in search of a grace-filled perspective on living with a merciless disease.

What is Prayer? (Matthew 6:6-8)

Wednesday, April 23 2014

Photo by Jimmy Hemphill: flickr.com/photos/jimmah_v

What is Prayer?

What can I say
that God does not already know?
This God who knows my thoughts
before I even think them,
who knows my words
before they reach my lips.

What can I ask
of the One who has already given all,
who has given his very life,
who shares that life with me at every moment?

Shall I invite God to come
when God is already here,
in and through all things,
everywhere?

Then what is prayer?
And how can I pray?

Though it makes no sense
to tell,
to ask,
to invite this God,

I can listen,
receive,
welcome.

Maybe that is prayer enough.

Posted by: Barbara Hemphill AT 06:10 pm | Permalink | Email

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Barbara Hemphill facilitates the Lake Houston Alzheimer's & Dementia Caregiver Support Group. Her mother had Lewy Body Dementia; her mother-in-law had vascular dementia. Barbara has a master's degree in pastoral care as well as training as a hospital chaplain and spiritual director. She is a member of the Episcopal Church.