Loving Well in Stories of Memory Loss

Heavenly Father, an increasing number of my friends find themselves in the journey of caring for a loved one with a memory loss disorder. Having walked that path with my dad, my heart is softened and tuned to pray for them.“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast?” Maybe not at birth, but later in life she can. I remember the day when my dad no longer knew my name or face. Only your grace can equip us for the season when our spouses or parents, grandparents or close friends begin to forget little things, then big things, and finally their family members.

But it’s not just “them,” Father. As names escape us, keys get lost, and appointments are forgotten, many of us also are wondering about our own journey into forgetfulness and memory loss. Though there’s no need to panic, there’s every need to accept weakness and change as a part of our journey Home.

Rescue us from our denial about what’s really going on in the life of a loved one with memory loss. Spin helps no one; minimizing minimizes nothing. Help us accept the unacceptable. It’s not the end of your Story, but it is our story right now. Help us love well. Help us steward the fear and anger, the frustration and loss.

Grant the most trustworthy diagnosis, the best care plan, and the resources to provide that care—emotionally and spiritually, physically and financially. None of us is sufficient. We need you; we need one another.

Father, we are SO thankful to know, should we live to forget you, you will never forget us. We are firmly in the grasp of grace and hidden in your Son forever. We will never out live your love for us, or out sin your grace for us in Jesus. Great is your faithfulness; steadfast is your love; and perfect is the end of your Story. We praise, bless, and adore you. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ merciful and mighty name.