Lord, you know better than I know myself that I am growing older, and will someday be old.  Keep me from getting talkative, and particularly from the fatal habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.

I ask for grace enough to listen to the tales of other’s pains.  But seal my lips on my own aches and pains; help me to endure them with patience.

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people.  And give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so.

(Anonymous, The One Year Book of Personal Prayer, 31 Jan)