Reasonably.

Breton, Peasant Woman Holding a Taper, 1869

An ABBESS' PRAYER

Lord, you know better than I know myself

that I am growing older and one day will be old.

Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must

say something on every subject

and on every occasion.

Release me from craving to

straighten out everybody's affairs.

Make me thoughtful but not moody;

helpful but not bossy.

With my vast store of wisdom

it seems a pity not to use it all;

but you know, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details,

give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips on my aches and pains,

they are increasing and love of rehearsing them

is becoming sweeter as the years go by.

I dare not ask for grace enough

to enjoy the tales of others pains,

but help me to endure them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory,

but for growing humility and a lessening cocksureness

when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others.

Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally

I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet;

I do not want to be a saint, some of them are so hard to live with,

but a sour old person is one of the

crowning works of the devil.

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places

and talent in unexpected people,

and give me O Lord the grace to tell them so. AMEN.

Anonymous, from the 17th century

Found in an old English Church