Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day 2 Cor. 4:16

Eternal Lord,

The Bible is clear about the losses of aging, 

but it also provides hope in the midst of these losses. 

The apostle Paul offers an eternal perspective 

that helps us live wisely and graciously as we age. 

He shares about the affliction he has experienced, 

saying that it has not crushed him (See 2 Cor. 4:8-9). 

He states bluntly the reality 

that our outer self is wasting away. 

And yet, he says, “our inner self is being renewed day by day.” 

Paul offers more hope in the midst of loss, 

“For this light momentary affliction 

is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory 

beyond all comparison…” (2 Cor. 4:17).  

We must see look through the lens of an eternal perspective 

to see our suffering as fleeting and insubstantial 

in comparison with the enduring weight and substance 

of eternal glory. 

We can picture a timeline 

extending from before the dawn of time to beyond its end. 

Eternal glory spans the entire length of the timeline, 

into eternity, 

while our afflictions occupy 

only brief, intermittent sectors. 

Our suffering molds us and refines us 

to reflect the very nature 

of our suffering and glorious Christ. 

Help us, Lord, 

to see all of the losses of this life 

through the lens of an eternal perspective: 

Help us to look beyond 

the light and momentary trials and troubles 

of this fallen world 

to the eternal welcome, beauty, and joy 

of heaven and the new heavens and new earth.

In the hope-full name of Jesus. Amen.

Read 2 Corinthians 4:8-18.

*This prayer based on my article: An Eternal Perspective on the Losses of Aging