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A Prayer about Remembering Death

by | Sep 20, 2022 | aging, dying, and death, body, Daily Prayer, Death and Resurrection, Grief

A Prayer about Remembering Death

Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is. Psalm 39:4

Everlasting God,

How we hate to think about or talk about the fact 

that we’re all going to die one day. 

And yet, when we read your Word, 

we see that it frequently speaks of death. 

It reminds us that we are mortal, 

and that our lives, 

in comparison to eternity, 

are short. 

Lord, we pray that you would give us a proper perspective on death—

we don’t “commend” it, 

for you did not design us to die. 

Death was the just punishment for sin. 

And yet, we do recognize its reality, 

and we prepare for it, 

because you tell us to remember that our days are numbered (Ps. 90:12). 

We prepare for it with the hope of immortality, 

knowing that Jesus defeated death on the cross, 

and that all who trust in him 

will live in your eternal glory. 

Because of this great hope, 

we have been freed from slavery to the fear of death (Heb. 2:15). 

And because of this great hope, 

we can prepare for death 

by getting our advance directives and wills and all the other things in order, 

by writing and sharing legacies with our loved ones, 

by visiting the dying, 

by going to funerals, 

and by comforting the grieving. 

Help us today to pray about dying well 

that we may live well. 

In Jesus’ resurrected name. Amen.

Read Psalm 39:4-5; Psalm 90.

A Prayer about Hope in Dark Valleys

by | Jul 31, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Death and Resurrection, Suffering

A Prayer about Hope in Dark Valleys

Even when I walk 

through the darkest valley, 

I will not be afraid, 

for you are close beside me. 

Your rod and your staff 

protect and comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Lord, our Good Shepherd,

As we walk through dark valleys, 

valleys that feel like death, 

valleys that lead to death,

[Name some valleys you are currently walking through or have walked through.]

We will not be afraid,

[Name any fears you have felt.]

For you are close beside us.

[Name how you have known God’s presence with you.]

Your rod and your staff protect and comfort us.

[Name the protection from harm and the comfort in grief and pain you have known].

In the name of our comforting Shepherd, Jesus, we pray.

Amen. 

Read Psalm 23.

 

A Prayer about Living and Dying by Faith

by | Jan 27, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Death and Resurrection

A Prayer about Living and Dying by Faith

Heavenly Father,

Whatever our age,

Make us ready always 

to “die in faith.” 

Dying in faith is the natural conclusion 

to living in faith. 

Dying in faith is to look to the redemption 

you have already accomplished in this world

and in our lives through Jesus Christ, 

to be convicted of things we haven’t seen yet: 

our heavenly homeland, 

the new heavens and new earth life 

that will truly fulfill our every hope (Hebrews 11:1). 

To live and die in faith 

is to let go of the things of this earth 

to which we sometimes cling too tightly, 

knowing we are “strangers and exiles on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13). 

To live and die in faith 

is to trust your perfect timing 

in numbering our days 

and your perfect patience 

in sending Jesus back 

to take us home. 

To live and die in faith 

is to wait eagerly 

for the restoration of all broken things 

even as we groan inwardly 

when life hurts (Romans 8:19). 

Father, give us the eyes of faith 

to endure until the day comes 

when we are reunited with you.

In Jesus’ living and dying name. Amen.

Read Hebrews 11:1-16; Romans 8: 19.

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A Prayer about What Happens When We Die

by | Oct 18, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Death and Resurrection

A Prayer about What Happens When We Die

Resurrecting Lord,

We admit, we sometimes get a little confused 

about what happens when we die. 

We know we “will be with you in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). 

We understand that for a season, 

our souls will be with you, 

enjoying your presence, 

but our bodies will await resurrection. 

The apostle Paul tried to explain this to the Corinthians, 

who just couldn’t understand 

how a body that dies 

can be made whole again. 

He likens it to a seed and a plant. 

Just as a small ivory-colored pumpkin seed 

goes into the ground and comes out three to four months later 

with large leafy vines and plump orange melon, 

so, our mortal bodies will decay and die. 

But one day, when you return, 

they will be “changed, 

in a moment, 

in the twinkling of an eye.”

As Eugene Peterson puts it, 

“On signal from that trumpet from heaven, 

the dead will be up and out of their graves, 

beyond the reach of death, 

never to die again” (1 Corinthians 15:52).  

We wonder, 

in that day, 

in the new heavens and the new earth, 

will we look like ourselves? 

We can only guess that there must be some resemblance, 

for indeed, the disciples and others were able to recognize you, 

and you showed poor skeptical Thomas 

your scarred hands and side. 

And yet, our bodies will be somehow different—

whole, fully what they were meant to be, 

radiant in your glory as we see you face to face (1 John 3:2; Revelation 22:4). 

Oh, make us eager for that day, Lord, 

when we will be with you, 

and for that day when you will return 

to raise our bodies to new life forever. 

In your life-giving name. Amen. 

Read 1 Corinthians 15:35-58; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 22:4.

A Prayer about Resurrection Joy in Seasons of Sorrow

by | Aug 25, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Death and Resurrection, Suffering

A Prayer about Resurrection Joy in Seasons of Sorrow

Risen Savior,

I love this story about Mary Magdalene.

Not finding you in the tomb, she wept.

Then she turned to see you but failed to recognize you.

You called her name, “Mary.”

She heard your voice and recognized you. 

She embraced you as her tears turned to joy.

May we see you today as our risen and ascended Savior, 

occupying your heavenly throne, 

ruling over the brokenness in this world, 

redeeming in ways we can’t see yet. 

May we stand on tiptoes to look beyond 

what we read in the news or hear reported 

to see you coming “soon,” 

bringing the new heavens and the new earth with you (Revelation 21:1-5; Revelation 22:7). 

When we see you as a risen, ascended, and returning Savior, 

we know joy even in the midst of sorrow, 

remembering that one day soon 

your kingdom of peace and justice 

and righteousness will reign forever. 

In your resurrected name. Amen.

Read John 20: 11-18; Revelation 21:1-5.

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A Prayer about the Brevity and Eternity of Our Lives

by | Aug 13, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Death and Resurrection

A Prayer about the Brevity and Eternity of Our Lives

Everlasting Father,

As we continue praying through this magnificent Psalm 

about your benefits, 

about how you work righteousness and justice in us, 

and about the eternal kingdom 

that has already begun for those in Christ, 

we thank you and praise you. 

First, thank you for this reminder about the length of our lives.

Sometimes, we confess, 

we get caught up in what we can see right before our eyes, 

we notice the supermarket mags pushing a superfood salad 

that prevents aging, 

we pay attention to pundits 

promising advancements in medicine 

that will extend our lives indefinitely. 

And while we are grateful for medical advancements

and discoveries about how to live a longer, healthy life, 

we also realize that the mortality rate is still 100 percent. 

Some of us are even more keenly aware 

of the fleeting nature of life 

as we’ve lost so many loved ones in the past year to Covid. 

And yet…David, the Psalmist, gives us hope:

“The steadfast love of the Lord 

is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him…” (Psalm 103:17);

“The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, 

and his kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19).

Open our eyes, Lord, to see your everlasting kingdom, 

a kingdom of righteousness and justice and liberty and flourishing, 

a kingdom where no child ever dies of preventable disease, 

a kingdom where every person of every race, tribe, and nation 

will know honor and delight, 

a kingdom where all injustice will be eradicated 

and no mourning clothes will be needed. 

Today, and every day, Lord, 

may your kingdom come 

through your work in us. 

In Jesus ruling name. Amen. 

Read Psalm 103:15-22; Revelation 21:22-22:5.