Anne-Louise, who works as a chaplain with older people, shares her experience of Daily Strength and the encouragement that this resource has brought to those who she supports.

As an Anna chaplain, I often use Daily Strength with the individuals that I support because I find that it is so well received.

On one occasion, I had been visiting a Christian who had been a professional academic and who had suffered a stroke in his 60s. He used to get upset about the way he could no longer read long passages of Scripture, and he found concentration in general very difficult. He was very tearful and then produced a copy of Daily Strength which I had given him earlier. He could not remember who had given it to him, but he brought it out of his dressing gown pocket “This,” he said, “is wonderful. It’s such a help to me because I can’t read my Bible very much now.”

After an end of year service at a sheltered housing centre, I gave a copy of Daily Strength to each person who had attended. As one lady was leaving the room leaning on her walker and trying to get her handbag together, she said to me “And where is the little present you gave me?” She wanted to make sure that she was taking it away with her because she saw it as a present.

I knew it would be valued, because it is so beautifully produced and illustrated. Many older people get very little in life which is free, and many do not have family who look after them. A small free gift means a lot to them. As many people reach an older age, they want to know more about God but don’t know how to go about it.

This booklet opens them up to the power of God’s word and as they talk to God, or someone else prays with them or for them, they are open to having a relationship with God. It is a very special gift. As the hymn tells us, God’s faithfulness provides “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.”

What’s so good about Lifewords' Daily Strength?

• The small version can easily be kept in a pocket
• The large print version is especially useful for older or visually impaired people
• It’s beautifully illustrated and so makes the reader feel respected and valued
• God’s word is powerful, and you don’t know what effect it will have
• It is not dictatorial or manipulative. Readers have space to react

Which readers would value it?

• Anyone who doesn’t know their way round the Bible
• Anyone who goes to a Christian community café or Warm Spaces
• Anyone who would like a meaningful gift
• Anyone who is open to God but unsure what to do