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Nathan Daniels
6 years ago
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1 Prayers One way in which we can prepare for our own death is to be fully present at the death of another. The prayers you say for others can be said by others for you. Often we long to be a help to friends or family when they near their end, but we do not know how, or fear we will put our foot in it. It is good just to be present with a loved one, to hold them. This itself can be prayer. There can also be a time for spoken prayers. In the Scottish Highlands and Islands, friends and family used to gather round a person whose strength was fading to say prayers which they called the soul leading or soul peace. We, too, can do this. Blessings over a dying person may be said by a minister, relative or friend, alone or with others present. The soul peace should be said slowly, and all present can join the dying person (if he or she is conscious) in asking the Three Persons of the Trinity and the saints in heaven to receive the departing soul. During the prayer a friend may make the sign of the cross on the frail or dying person s forehead, or place a crucifix before their eyes. A well-known Bible passage, psalm or hymn may be read, even to people who have little religious background, and one or more of these prayers may be repeated from time to time. 162 This page can be downloaded at

2 Prayers to be said by or with you, or on your behalf God be in my head, and in my understanding. God be in my eyes, and in my looking. God be in my mouth, and in my speaking. God be in my heart, and in my thinking. God be at my end, and at my departing. I am going home with you, to your home, to your home; I am going home with you, to your home of mercy. I am going home with you, to your home, to your home; I am going home with you, to the place of all the blessings. Carmina Gadelica 3 Traditional Lord, you loved me before I was born and in your arms I die. Take me nearer to your heart, to the place of light, and love everlasting. Father in heaven, in weakness and in strength I bear your likeness. Now I am in the land of shadows where the light of memory is dimmed. But I am coming to you. I shall know you as you know me. Glory to you. Glory to you. This page can be downloaded at 163

3 As it was in the stillness of the morning, so may it be in the silence of the night. As it was in the hidden vitality of the womb, so may it be at my birth into eternity. As it was in the beginning, O God, so in the end may your gift be born, so in the end may your gift of life be born. J. Philip Newell 4 Deep peace of the quiet earth. Deep peace of the heavenly spheres. Deep peace of the still waters. Deep peace of the Son of Peace. Peace above all peace. Peace without end. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on me. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on me. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant me your peace. Traditional Liturgy Risen Christ, by your death you have destroyed death. By your visiting the spirits of the dead you opened to them the gate of glory. By your resurrection you give us eternal life. 164 This page can be downloaded at

4 Through baptism we have been united to your death. Raise us up to live with you in the resurrection. Lord Jesus, I thank you for all the benefits you have won for me, for all the pains and insults you have borne for me. Most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may I see you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. St Richard of Chichester Soul of Christ, make me holy. Jesus, within your wounds hide me. In the hour of my death, call me to you, that with your saints I may love you for ever. Traditional Christ be near me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in heart of friend and stranger. From St Patrick s Breastplate (adapted) This page can be downloaded at 165

5 Blessed death will be welcomed by us. Angels music will be heard by us. You are the treasure I most desire. Your face, Lord, will I seek. Heaven s beauty I desire more than all things. Prayers to be said for you and beside you Tick the ones you especially like. Merciful God, set him/her free from the restrictions of earth, that he/she may reflect the fullness of the person you made him/her to be. God be with you today and for ever. Jesus be in you to pardon and tether. Spirit be on you and leave you never. May kindly Michael, chief of the holy angels, take charge of your beloved soul, and tenderly bring it home to the Three of limitless love, Creator, Saviour, Eternal Life-giver. The Three Persons of God encircle you. The Saving Three set you free. The loving Three caress you and work in you, in your loved ones, in those who have gone before you, in your dark, in your day, 166 This page can be downloaded at

6 in your pain, in your seeing, in your journey, now, for ever. Hold those I love in your arms. Be their strength. Give them grace to persevere. In the name of the all-powerful Father, in the name of the all-loving Son, in the name of the pervading Spirit, I command all spirit of fear to leave you, I break the power of unforgiven sin in you, I set you free from dependence upon human ties that you may be as free as the wind, as soft as sheep s wool, as straight as an arrow, and that you may journey into the heart of God. Go forth upon your journey from this world, in the name of God the Father who created you; in the name of Jesus Christ who died for you; in the name of the Holy Spirit who shines through you; in friendship with God s saints; aided by the holy angels. May you rest this day in the peace and love of your eternal home. Traditional Funeral Liturgy (adapted) Father, I place (Name) into your hands; acknowledge a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, This page can be downloaded at 167

7 a sinner of your own redeeming. Enfold (Name) in the arms of your mercy. Traditional Funeral Liturgy Prayers at the very end These will be personal to each individual. They will be instinctive; they may be prayers that were stored in the soul in childhood. In my case, I suspect my last prayers might be these: Yesterday, today, for ever, Jesus is the same. All may change, but Jesus never, Jesus is the same. Jesus is the same. Jesus is the same. Yesterday, today, for ever, Jesus is the same. Moment by moment I m kept in his love. Moment by moment I ve life from above. Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine. Moment by moment, O Lord, I am thine. Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mould me and make me in thine own way. Whatever the vessel, grant me to be used in thy service to glorify thee. Anon 168 This page can be downloaded at

8 Add your own or favourite prayer below: This page can be downloaded at 169

Funeral Planning Guide Salem Lutheran Church Hitterdal, MN

Funeral Planning Guide Salem Lutheran Church Hitterdal, MN At a person's death, the church shares the grief of those who mourn and remembers the brevity of life on earth. At the funeral we give voice to