Prayer is how people of faith converse with God. It can help you quiet your mind, lay your burdens before him and listen for his guidance. Spending time with God in this way every day can be a powerful practice. Some day-to-day benefits of prayer include:
Deciding to move into an assisted living community is a big life choice. From downsizing to choosing the right community, many practical and emotional considerations go into this change. Prayer helps you invite God into the process and seek his will for this chapter of your life. It can also help you have peace as you approach each step of what might otherwise be a stressful process.
Older adults have used prayer to help ease worries about finances and safety, reduce the sting of leaving a longtime home, ask God to support them with new friendships and remind themselves that God cares about even the smallest details of their lives and move.
Not sure where to start with praying your way into an assisted living community like one of the options under the Bethesda Senior Living Communities umbrella? Check out the tips below.
Ask God for wisdom as you consider what's best for your health, safety and lifestyle. Pray for clarity and peace about whether this is the right time and decision for you.
Consider asking other believers you trust to pray about this for you. Talk to them about your hopes and concerns and what you think God might be telling you in this season. Sometimes, God speaks through others into our lives.
If you're looking at different communities, pray for discernment. Talk to God about your wishes for the future and ask what his plans are. Ask him to guide you toward a pace where you'll feel safe and supported and where you can live a vibrant and healthy life.
Don't be afraid to pray about specific details. God wants to hear from you, and no detail is too small. For example, if you've enjoyed pizza night every Wednesday for decades and don't want to give that up, you might pray for God to show you an assisted living community that makes pizza night possible. Perhaps the dining options include pizza or there's a nearby delivery option.
Ask God to prepare your heart as well as the hearts of others for new relationships. Pray for connections with neighbors, staff and fellow residents who can bring you encouragement and joy.
Downsizing can be an emotional and even stressful process. Pray for strength to let go of items that no longer serve your needs. It can also help to thank God and practice gratitude as you consider your belongings, reflect on the memories tied to them and realize that they no longer provide those same purposes. When you look at items as a past blessing, it may be easier to let them go in favor of future blessings.
Consistent prayer can help calm many of the anxieties associated with moving. Ask for God's presence to go before you and fill your new home with comfort and hope.
Watch for "God winks" throughout the process — small things that are meaningful to you that seem placed to boost your spirits at just the right time. If you're talking to God throughout the transition, he's probably talking back, and these "winks" might be one way.
Entering an assisted living community doesn't mean stepping away from your calling. Pray for opportunities to serve others and share your faith within your new sphere. You might also ask God to help you understand what his plan is for you in this next chapter.
As you pray, don't forget to invest time in other spiritual disciplines. Reading Scripture and spending time in worship can also help you feel God's presence and discern his leading as you consider a major life change.
