Lord God, Thou our refuge forevermore, our life and length of years by
whose hands our days are numbered, behold, I have reached the years, of
which I can say that they are not pleasing to me. Since my strength has
perceptibly decreased in this my old age, and many troubles and
weaknesses come upon me, I humbly beseech Thee who hast so graciously and
fatherly guided me from the beginning of my life, and hast been my hope
from the days of youth until now, Thou wouldst not forsake me in old age,
when I am gray-headed and weak, but continue to bear and deliver me unto
a happy end of my life. But especially do I pray Thee, O merciful Father,
to guide and direct me by Thy holy and good Spirit, that I may spend the
rest of my life in a Christian walk with praying and sighing in true
devotion to Thee, and that I may more and more prepare myself like a true
Christian for a happy death, so that, if to-day or to-morrow my time
should come, I may depart in peace like the aged Simeon, and leaving this
world, may enter upon the joys of eternal life. Amen.