A
Prayer Service for Those Near Death
|
From the Open Files of: |
Eastern North Dakota Synod Resource Center (701)232-3180 |
|
Contributed by: |
May Angels Lead You: A Prayer Service for Those Near Death
Scripture Prayers and Readings:
Psalm 23 - The Good Shepherd
Psalm 42 - Longing for God and Help in Distress
Psalm 121 - Assurance of God's Protection
Isaiah 43:1- 7 - Restoration and Protection Promised
Matthew 11:28 - 30 - Jesus Thanks His Father
John 11:25 - 27 - Jesus the Resurrection and the Life
Romans 6:3 - 9 - Dying and Rising with Christ
Romans 8:31 - 39 - God's Love in Christ Jesus
|
|
bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of his hand. Based on Psalm 91 |
It is important to walk with our loved ones as far as we can into death. We cannot cross over into their new home, but we can certainly go as far as the door with them.
I would encourage you to pray this prayer close to your loved one. Sit on the edge of the bed, hold his hand, touch her head, shoulders, or arm.
It is a comfort to your loved one to know that you are with him or her on the journey with the Lord to his or her new home.
INTRODUCTORY RITES
Leader: We journey with you,_______________________,
toward your new home. We will go with you as far as the
front door. We will wait and pray as you pass through this
door into your new home in the kingdom of God. Let us walk
together, sharing the love we have, in faith and peace.
Leader: Let the peace of the Lord rest upon you,_______________________.
All: Let the peace of the Lord rest upon you,_______________________.
Leader: We ask Jesus, who is "the Way," to make smooth your path.
All: Let the peace of the Lord rest upon you,_______________________.
Leader: We ask Jesus, who is "the Light," to make bright your path.
All: Let the peace of the Lord rest upon you,_______________________.
Leader: We ask Jesus, who is your friend, to walk beside you today.
All: Let the peace of the Lord rest upon you,_______________________.
BASED ON PSALM 27
Leader: Hear our voices, Lord; we are calling!
All: Hear our voices, Lord; we are calling!
Leader: One thing we ask of the Lord, this we seek: To dwell in the Lord's house all the days of our lives, to gaze on the Lord's beauty, to visit God's temple.
All: Hear our voices, Lord; we are calling!
Leader: do not, Lord, hide your face from us; do not cast us off; for you are our help, O God our Savior.
All: Hear our voices, Lord; we are calling!
Leader: We believe that we shall enjoy god's goodness in the land of the living. we take courage and wait for the Lord; we are stouthearted, and we wait for the Lord.
All: Hear our voices, Lord; we are calling!
WORD OF GOD
John 14:1-3
Leader: Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in
God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many
dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again
and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you
may be also.
(A period of silence)
INDIVIDUAL SILENT PRAYER
Each person present comes forward individually,
silently places his or her hands on the loved one, and prays
quietly for a few moments.
INTO YOUR HANDS
Leader: Lord, we commend _________________________, into
your loving hands!
All: Lord, we commend _________________________, into your loving hands!
Leader: We place you lovingly into the care of god our Father. We release you from anxiety and concern. We free you to leave this life and journey into the life of the Lord.
All: Lord, we commend _________________________, into your loving hands!
Leader: We see you as God sees you, a spiritual being, created in the image of God, embraced by God's presence and now returning home.
All: Lord, we commend _________________________, into your loving hands!
Leader: We will let go of our earthly hold on you. We will not bind you. We leave you in the hands of the Lord who will guard your comings and goings both now and forever.
All: Lord, we commend _________________________, into your loving hands!
Leader: May Jesus now flow into you. May Jesus be your food and drink. May Jesus be your passion, strength, and life. May Jesus be your shelter and keep you safe.
All: Lord, we commend _________________________, into your loving hands!
Leader: Let us pray the prayer that Jesus taught those who love him.
All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER
Leader: May the Lord support you, ___________________,
all the day long. May the Lord lead you when the shadows
lengthen and the evening comes. May the Lord embrace you
when the busy world is hushed, the ever of life is over, and
your work is done. May the Lord bring you to a safe lodging,
to a holy rest, and peace at last.
All: Amen
All: May the Lord bless you ______________________, and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May God look upon you with kindness, and give you peace. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Leader: May the angels of God surround you, _____________________, and carry you to Paradise!
All: Amen.
[ OTHER ] • [ HOME ]
© Copyright 2001 by the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center. Please see our usage policy.
NW Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center