“O God:
You bring hope out of emptiness, energy out of fear, new life out of grief and loss.
As Mary returned to mourn yet found unspeakable joy, so comfort all who have lost their homes
through persecution, war, exile, or deliberate destruction.
Give them security, a place to live, and neighbors they trust to be, with them,
a new sign of peace to the world.
Amen.”
Found at ucc.org
“Those who are worn out and crushed by this mourning, let your hearts consider this:
this is the path that has existed from the time of creation and will exist forever.
Many have drunk from it and many will yet drink.
As was the first meal, so shall be the last.
May the master of comfort comfort you.
Blessed are those who comforts the mourners.”
Found at Jesuit Resources
“Bless those who mourn, eternal God, with the comfort of your love that they may face each new day with hope and the certainty that nothing can destroy the good that has been given. May their memories become joyful, their days enriched with friendship, and their lives encircled by your love.”
(Vienna Cobb Anderson)
Found at Jesuit Resources
“Bless those who mourn, eternal God,
with the comfort of your love
that they may face each new day with hope
and the certainty that nothing can destroy
the good that has been given.
May their memories become joyful,
their days enriched with friendship,
and their lives encircled by your love.”
Found at Jesuit Resources
“We pray that in this time of loss,
You'll feel God's love much more
And that you'll find your comfort
In the presence of the Lord
We pray God pours upon you,
His sweet amazing grace
And overflow your heart with peace
As you live in His embrace.”
(M.S. Lowndes)
Found at Jesuit Resources
Gracious and Heavenly God,
Three in One,
The Beginning and the End.
You know our hearts before we even speak,
snd we know that not everyone feels joy during this season.
so many have lost so much this year:
Loved ones,
Jobs,
Security,
and so much more.
And for many, this year, the cold feels a bit more bitter,
the wind blows over lonely hearts
and chills our joy.
On this Christmas Eve,
as we grieve with those who grieve,
and we await the coming dawn
showing us the arrival of our Savior
and the presence of Love.
Help us to remember your sweet words
and feel your sweet presence.
Sometimes we just need to be reminded.
Turn our sorrow into joy,
bring beauty from the ashes
as only you can do.
And be near the grievers.
Lift up the broken-hearted.
Heal us.
For you have told us that
you will never leave nor forsake your people
and tonight as we lay our heads down
in the midst of our long year,
heavy with the weight of our sorrows,
hold us until the dawn breaks
and hope arrives.
I am nearly finished with my first unit of Clinical Pastoral Education, where I have had the opportunity to serve as a Hospital Chaplain Intern.
The other day, I was called to perform “Last Rites” for a patient. Upon arriving to the room, I discovered that the patient was already deceased. After informing the family that 01: The Roman Catholic tradition only performs rites for the living, and, quite relevant, 02: I am not Roman Catholic and couldn’t do it even if it were such a thing. They said neither were they; they just wanted someone to perform a prayer.
I looked for a non-Roman Catholic Prayer of Commendation and couldn’t quite find what I was looking for, so I wrote one. It’s a little long for what I’d like to use it for and I will probably make some edits, or rewrite it completely, but I thought I’d pass it along in its current form if anyone’s interested (feel free to use and edit as helps you).
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Saving and Sustaining Creator;
hear us as we gather
in the quiet remembrance of death.
From dust we came
and to dust we shall return.
As our dear one has departed this realm,
some day, so shall we.
Creator who saves, and sustains,
help us make the most our days.
May we carry your blessing of Love to all we meet,
for our days our few and the needs are many
Show us that Your Love sustains.
We commend our dear sister/brother ____________ to the journey ahead,
To them we say:
may you return to the God who formed you,
may the angels and the saints;
all those who have gone ahead
guide you as you go forth from this life to the next.
Dear sister/brother ____________
May the God who created, saves, and sustains,
bring you freedom from your suffering,
and peace of spirit,
welcome you with open arms
into the garden of paradise,
and may you hear those words we all long to hear:
“Well done, my good and faithful servant,”
Find your rest in that heavenly home
where there is no more disease,
no more sickness,
no more sadness,
no more tears,
and no more suffering;
remember us as you take your place in the eternal.”
Creating, Saving, and Sustaining God,
guide this dear one and us to our eternal home,
Give us the courage to continue our lives in sacrifice for others,
following the path of peace,
guided by Love.
We pray with humble confidence
knowing our shortcomings
and your abundant mercies.
Hear our prayers,
guide our hands,
heal our hearts.
Amen.