FOR THE DYING AND BEREAVED
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SCRIPTURES
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod
and thy staff they comfort me. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I
shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:4,6
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear. Psalm 46:1-2a
For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not
perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Jesus said to her: "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he
live and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die." John 11:25-26a
Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many
rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and
prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
John 14:1-3
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts
be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as
by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so
also in Christ shall all be made alive. I Corinthians 15:20-22
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed
every day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all
comparison, because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the
things that are unseen are eternal. II Corinthians 4:16-18
We want you to be quite certain, brothers, about those who have died, to make sure that you do not
grieve about them, like the other people who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again,
and that it will be the same for those who have died in Jesus; God will bring them with him.
I Thessalonians 4:13-14
PRAYERS
Almighty God: by your power Jesus Christ was raised from death. Watch over ______ as his earthly life
is ending. Help him to see beyond here and now to a home within your love, where pain is gone and frail
flesh turns to glory. Banish fears. Brush tears away. Let death come as gently as sundown, promising a
sunrise into a new day which shall make us happy to be together with Jesus Christ who is the Lord of
eternal life. Amen.
Heavenly Father, enable _____ to do her own dying rather than just letting death happen to her. Be
with her and guide her as she puts her affairs in order. Help her say the things she needs and wants to
say to her family and friends. May she deal honestly with her fears and express joyfully her faith, so that
our memories will heal our loss and help us continue living. Amen.
Merciful God: You know fully who we are and what we have done, and yet You accept us. We thank You
that when we confess and repent of our sins that You forgive us. Fill _____ with the wonder of your
grace, made known in Christ. May he trust your love and confidently enter the full joy of your presence
beyond this life; through Jesus Christ, who has died for us and who has risen for us. Amen.
There are moments of bitterness, O God, because of this death. We are tempted to accuse You of
cruelty. We dare to doubt your concern and your love. And yet we believe You are a gentle Father who
forgives, blesses, and knows the pain You enable us to endure. We only pray that You will help _____
to feel gratitude for the time they shared with _____. We thank You because we know he is yours
forever. Amen.
O Lord, _____ has died and _____ feels so alone. Through their many years together they became so
close. It is difficult for _____ to contemplate how she can possibly exist apart from _________. Give to
her the assurance, God, that your grace will continue to comfort and sustain her. Give her the
assurance that both she and _____ belong to You and that nothing can separate either of them from
your love. Amen.
O God, we thank You for _____, for the gift of his life, for the grace You have given him, for all in him
that was good and kind and faithful. We thank You that for him death is past, and pain is ended, and he
has entered the joy You have prepared. Give this family faith to trust your love which never fails. Lift
heavy sorrow and give them good hope in Jesus, so they may live their lives with courage and look
forward to a glad heavenly reunion; through Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.