Most of us fondly remember a beautiful and soulful prayer hymn that we have heard since childhood: “Grant us such strength, O Lord, that our inner faith never weakens.” These simple lines carry a profound message. Today, especially for us seniors, this prayer feels more relevant than ever. No matter how advanced our age may be, if faith in ourselves remains intact, life never becomes truly difficult. Faith is that invisible strength which helps us rise every time we stumble.
Our constant prayer should be that God does not allow us to drift away from this path of belief. At a stage of life when the body begins to set its limits, the strength of the mind becomes even more important. The moment the mind gives up, defeat sets in. But when the mind says, “I can still do it, I can still learn, I can still move forward,” age becomes nothing more than a number.
The following lines of the hymn say, “May we walk the righteous path, and may no mistake be committed even unintentionally.” Living up to this ideal is not easy. As humans, we have made mistakes throughout our lives and may continue to do so. However, this phase of life gives us an opportunity to be more mindful. These are the golden years when restraint, balance, and wisdom should guide our actions.
This is also the time when seniors should lead by example rather than sermons. The knowledge, experience, patience, and understanding that we have accumulated over decades must now be shared gracefully.
The younger generation may have speed and technology, but they lack the depth of experience that comes only with age. When seniors share their wisdom without arrogance and with compassion, society benefits immensely.
Another powerful message from the hymn urges us to stay away from the darkness of ignorance and move towards the light of knowledge. There is a common misconception that learning is no longer necessary in old age. This belief is not only incorrect but also risky. The moment we stop learning, stagnation sets in. In today’s world, even a little ignorance can lead to serious consequences—be it online fraud, misleading health advice, or false information.
Therefore, seniors must continue to learn. Instead of fearing new technology, we should try to understand it. There should be no hesitation in asking questions. Admitting “I don’t know” is not a weakness; it is the first step toward learning. When knowledge enters our lives, ignorance naturally fades away.
The hymn further teaches us to stay away from all negativity and ensure that whatever life remains is lived with goodness. Holding grudges, nurturing resentment, or seeking revenge only disturbs inner peace. Life is too precious at this stage to be wasted on such emotions.
Forgiveness and calmness are the true ornaments of senior life.
Rather than focusing on what life has given us, it is far more meaningful to reflect on what we have given to life.
The poet ultimately wishes that everyone’s life becomes a madhuban—a garden filled with sweetness, harmony, and contentment. What could be a more beautiful aspiration than this?
Old hymns and songs often seem richer in emotion and purpose. Their words touch the soul and guide us gently. Even today, if we adopt their messages in our daily lives, many of our inner conflicts can be resolved.
In conclusion, let me once again emphasize that seniors must remain mentally strong in every situation. This is a universal truth: when we do not lose faith in ourselves, circumstances slowly begin to support us. The stronger our belief, the smoother our journey becomes. This is the essence of the Never Say Retired mission—to live with faith, purpose, and active engagement till the very last moment of life.
The ‘bhajan’ referred is
“इतनी शक्ति हमें देना दाता, मन का विश्वास कमजोर हो ना।”
“हम चले नेक रास्ते पर, हमसे भूल कर भी कोई भूल हो ना।”
Author
The author is the founder of the Never Say Retire mission. In order to achieve this goal, he also runs this website and his Facebook group Never Say Retire Forum has Hundreds and Thousands of members today.
