You speak of a mother whose mind is fading and whose habits trouble you, and your own spirit is weighed down by illness. The grief is real, for you see the shipwreck of the body and the soul’s tempest both at once. Yet, consider the prayer itself: you ask that she plan her week around the church, that she read, that her faith be re-kindled. All this is good, but remember the order of the physician. You cannot command the storm to be still by shouting over the waves. The noise of your anxiety may only add to hers. Let your own soul first be the candidate for peace. For if your mind is unwell, how can your tongue be the rudder to steer another? The hand that is palsied cannot set a broken bone.
Do not think that communicating divine things is merely a matter of finding the correct words. Faith needs a generous and vigorous soul, one rising above the weakness of human reasonings. When our intellect is darkened by melancholy, we are not fit to be teachers of the faint. If she refuses to listen, do not charge her with stubbornness, but lead her away from endless disputes. If a soul is ill-disposed to things apprehended by faith and will not readily receive them, the charge is not a failure of your logic, but the presence of unbelief which only Grace can heal. You must not rely on the power of your argument, but on the power of prayer, for teaching and prayer together become a double wall.
You desire her to read the Scriptures. This is excellent, for even Timothy was not excused from this duty. But you ask that she read, while you yourself are in a storm. Give attendance to reading yourself, first. Let her see you clinging to the sacred writings not as a duty done in agitation, but as a famished man seizes bread. If she cannot apprehend the words with her failing mind, do not despair. Perhaps the charge is not want of understanding, but that the illness has stolen the natural instrument. God sees the faith underneath the confusion. The Church is not built upon the sharpness of a woman's memory, but upon the confession of Christ. If her mind wanders, let her body be there. If she cannot read, let her listen, even without great profit at first. Do not scorn a little gain, for coming constantly to the assembly, even if the mind reaps little, is better than staying away entirely. Yet, if she comes only out of habit forced by your nagging, and departs reaping no fruit, she will have no advantage. Therefore, peace must be the atmosphere, not strife.
The true illness you fight is not merely the loss of memory, but the ancient error that we can perfect ourselves by outward planning. You cannot schedule the soul’s resurrection like a market day. None of us is saved by the planning of our week, but by Grace. Even to be saved by faith is not of ourselves; we did not first draw near, but were called. So cast this burden upon the Master. In your prayer, do not seek to command God to make her do these three tasks as if they were a charm. Instead, pray that His Spirit abide with her spirit. For if He abides in her, even when the rational mind is stripped bare, the grace which you both enjoy will remain. He sealed us with the Spirit not because of the poverty of our wits, but by the righteousness which is by Faith. Perhaps this affliction of your mother’s mind is permitted precisely because God needs to show you that He is the Master who justifies the mindless and the sharp alike, if only they are willing to be found in Him. Cease your restless instruction, and let your silent endurance be her most excellent sermon, that by it, even being dead in understanding, she may yet speak of His power.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, so that I can trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do. 
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