Parents' Prayer at the Death of a Child

Parents’ Prayer at the Death of a Child

Master, Lord my gracious and merciful God,
who long ago heard the grieving voice of Your servant Jacob as he wept for Joseph,
saying: I shall go, mourning, into the grave next to my son.

You yourself, O compassionate Lord, comforted David,
the king and prophet as he said in his grief:
Absalom! My son, Absalom! It would have been better for me to have died in your place, O my son, Absalom!

Your divine Son and our Savior, in His mercy for the grief which a parent suffers,
raised Jairus’ daughter and the son of the widow from Nain;
and in this same compassion and loving kindness,
He healed the daughter of the Canaanite woman.

O gracious and merciful Master and Lord,
look down from heaven and behold the grief in my heart,
the heart of a parent,
as it sees its hope for life snatched away:
The good and righteous life of my child through whom I had longed to praise the power,
wisdom and goodness of Your holy name.

But as I stand before the impenetrable mysteries which You alone understand,
my mind turns to the fervent prayer which Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
offered before the holy Passion, in the garden of Gethsamane,
saying: Father, if it is Your will, take this cup from me!
Like Him, I also bow my head before You today and cry out: Lord, let Your will be done!

Like the righteous Job hearing of the death of his children long ago,
I also cry out in humility and confess: The Lord gives, the Lord takes away;
blessed be the name of the Lord.

Though I am torn by grief,
yet my faith in You and Your ineffable mysteries remains unshaken as I now beseech Your mercy and compassion,
Lord.

Grant forgiveness, Lord,
to his (her) soul for whatever sins he (she) may have committed in work, deed or thought;
and bring him (her) to that place of eternal blessedness,
together with Your Holy Angels.

At the time which You shall choose,
grant that I too may join him (her), so that together we may sing of Your immeasurable glory.

For You are the God of mercy and compassion and the Lover of mankind,
and we offer glory,  thanksgiving and worship to You:
To the Father and the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer in Preparation for Death

In Preparation for Death

O Lord, look upon me, Your creature, and the work of Your hands.

Take away my fear,
and send Your angel to comfortme with the strength of Your presence,
even as You werecomforted in Your agony.

I commend everyone I love to Your providence and care,
knowing that You will do more for themthan I could ever desire.

O Lord, You know my sins; havemercy on me,
and in Your wealth of love and compassion formankind,
let heaven be opened to me.

May I see the angels rejoicing over me, an unworthy sinner,
as I am received into Your Kingdom.

I am not worthy of Your love for me,
but I trustthat You will not abandon me to the eternal death of hell.

By the prayers of Mary, Your Mother, and of all the saints,
may I be counted among those who behold the light of Your face.

May I offer You the praise and worship which are my eternallife and joy.

For You are my life and my resurrection,
and Your arms will receive me in love, O Jesus,
and I glorify You, with Your Father, Who is without beginning,
and Your most holy, good, and life-creating Spirit,
now and ever unto ages ofages. Amen.

Prayer at the Death of a Spouse

Prayer at the Death of a Spouse

Master, Lord, immaculate Creator of all,
in Your love for mankind You created woman from Adam’s rib,
and blessed them, saying: Be fruitful, ultiply and conquer the earth.

You joined the two into one body and commanded that no man separate that which You had joined together.

Look down from heaven, O compassionate Father,
and behold the grief and pain which have fallen upon my heart and soul
as I behold my separation today from the one soul of Your servant,
O Lord, who You,
O Lord, gave to be my husband (wife) and support in this life.

Show Your loving kindness to me, O merciful Lord,
at this hour which is so difficult for my soul to endure! Lord,
Jesus Christ, comforter of those who mourn,
the prophet Isaiah spoke of You,
saying that You would come to heal those whose hearts were crushed.

Be my comforter and hear me as I raise my voice to You with faith.

I pray, O  gracious King,
forgive whatever sins my husband (wife) has committed in this life;
whether by word, deed or thought,
knowingly or unknowingly,
receive the soul of Your servant, O Lord,
in Your eternal heavenly kingdom, among the dwelling of the saints.

At Your proper time, grant that my soul,
which longs for that kingdom,
may also dwell in that holy place where,
once again, our souls shall meet and, together,
offer glory and praise to Your all holy name:
Of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer for One Terminally Ill

For One Terminally Ill

O Almighty God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
we pray to You for Your servant (name) whose sickness is bringing him (her) to the end of his (her) earthly life.

You are the God whose only-begotten Son taught us that not even the smallest sparrow can fall without Your knowledge,
and that You hold all creation in Your merciful arms.
Look upon Your servant (name) and allow this illness to be for the death only of those things which are the result of evil and sin.

Let his (her) thoughts be quieted with the peace and confidence of his (her) final deliverance into the fullness of Your love.
Keep his (her) soul and body pure,
and sanctify them during the time he (she) remains among us,
that on the last day he (she) may be raised up with all Your saints to live with You in never ending glory.
For to You belong praise and worship,
to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever,
and unto ages of ages. Amen

Prayer at the Death of a Parent

Prayer at the Death of a Parent

O Lord,
You heard Joseph grieving over the death of his father, Jacob,
as he wept and kissed him.

Your own Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
also knew the love of a mother,
for as He suffered upon the cross,
He beheld his Mother and the disciple whom He loved standing near her,
and He said: Woman, behold your son.
And to the disciple, He said: Behold your mother.

Good Master,
look down from heaven and see the pain and grief which have laid hold of my heart and soul today.

Be merciful to me, Your servant,
and receive the prayer which is offered to You by a child who has lost his (her) beloved father (mother).

Forgive whatever sins he (she) has willingly or unwillingly committed,
whether of word, deed or thought.

Merciful Master,
hear the grieving voice of one who has been taught by his (her) father (mother)
to turn to You with true faith in times of need,
and to raise my eyes and voice to You.

Show Your mercy, O Lord, and grant rest to my father (mother),
making him (her) a partaker of Your eternal blessings and granting him (her) a place at Your right hand,
for blessed and glorified are You unto all ages. Amen.

Prayer for When Sickness Increases

For When Sickness Increases

O Lord Jesus Christ, our God and our Savior,
for our sake You were born; and for our sake You were hungry and thirsty;
for our sake You were mocked, scourged and crowned with thorns;
for our sake You suffered and died on the cross,
offering up Your divine life for our salvation:
as You now grant Your servant  (name)  to share in Your sufferings,
grant him (her) also to share in Your grace.

May Your wounds heal the wounds of his (her) sins.
May Your precious Blood wash away the stains of his (her) sins.
May Your divine righteousness purge from him (her) every iniquity.
Look upon his (her) faith in You, and the faith of us who pray,
and do what is best for him (her) according to Your mercy, rather than our merit.
As sickness increases in him (her),
so likewise increase in him (her) Your power and strength.

Let not his (her) faith waver or his (her) hope fail, or his (her) love grow cold.
Let not the fear of suffering and death cause him/her to cast away his (her) hope in You,
or to lose courage and the will to fight every sickness and sin.
Let him (her) rather look always to You even to the very end,
and cry out, as You Yourself cried from the cross to God:
“Into Your hands, Good Father, I commend My spirit.”

Bless him (her) to enter Your everlasting Kingdom,
where all the saints continually shine with Your divine glory.
For You have suffered that we might be healed,
and have died that we might live,
and we send up thanksgiving and praise to You,
to the Father who sent You,
and to Your most Holy Spirit, Who strengthens us to share Your passion,
now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.