Prayer for grandmothers

Father, the year is almost over.

Samuel once set up a stone and called it Ebenezer. He said, "So far the Lord has helped us." He looked back. He named the help. He set the stone as a witness.

I need that stone tonight.

The Ebenezer of an old woman in this chair is a long stack of stones across the decades. Each one marks a place where You helped. This year had its own.

The cancer scare in February that turned out to be benign. The granddaughter's wedding in May that was sweeter than I had hoped. The friend who called in October on the right day. The Christmas the family came home for.

Lord, set the Ebenezer for this year. Mark the help. So far the Lord has helped us.

Walk me through these last days of the year. Help me set the stone. Name the help. Mark the place.

The next year will need its own help. I do not get to see it in advance. But You are the same God who stood by me before. Your love does not run out. Your faithfulness does not change.

So I will face the new year with trust, not because I know what is coming, but because I know who is coming with me.

The Ebenezer stands.

Amen.