In honor of last Sunday’s second annual World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, and Tuesday’s feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, we’re sharing four prayers for grandparents.

From the USCCB for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly:

I give thanks to you, Lord,
For the blessing of a long life
For, to those who take refuge in You, Grant always to bear fruit.
Forgive, O Lord,
Resignation and disillusionment, But forsake me not
When my strength declines.
Teach me to look with hope
To the future you give me,
To the mission you entrust to me And to sing your praises without end.
Make me a tender craftsman
Of Your revolution,
To guard with love my grandchildren
And all the little ones who seek shelter in You.
Protect, O Lord, Pope Francis
And grant Thy Church
To deliver the world from loneliness. Direct our steps in the way of peace. Amen.

Prayer for the Blessing of a Long Life: 

God of mercy, you have given your children the gift of long life, and they ask for your blessing. Let them feel the tenderness and strength of your presence. As they look back to the past, let them rejoice in your mercy. As they look to the future, may they persevere in hope that does not fade. To you be praise and glory forever.

A Child’s Prayer:

Dear God, please bless my grandparents. Thank you for the life they gave my parents and for the life, they give to me.

For the ways they helped me and made me strong, I give thanks. For the ways, they love me no matter what, I rejoice. For the ways, they have paved the road that leads me here, I am grateful.

Let them grow in wisdom and joy in life. Let them find peace and rest from their work. Let them be healed of every sickness and pain. And let them see with their own eyes your glory  and the love of their children and grandchildren.

Bless them always until they come to rest in you.

Pope Benedict XVI’s Prayer for Grandparents: 

Lord Jesus,
you were born of the Virgin Mary,
the daughter of Saints Joachim and Anne.
Look with love on grandparents the world over.
Protect them! They are a source of enrichment
for families, for the Church and for all of society.
Support them! As they grow older,
may they continue to be for their families
strong pillars of Gospel faith,
guardians of noble domestic ideals,
living treasuries of sound religious traditions.
Make them teachers of wisdom and courage,
that they may pass on to future generations the fruits
of their mature human and spiritual experience.

Lord Jesus,
help families and society
to value the presence and role of grandparents.
May they never be ignored or excluded,
but always encounter respect and love.
Help them to live serenely and to feel welcomed
in all the years of life which you give them.
Mary, Mother of all the living,
keep grandparents constantly in your care,
accompany them on their earthly pilgrimage,
and by your prayers, grant that all families
may one day be reunited in our heavenly homeland,
where you await all humanity
for the great embrace of life without end. Amen!