Pause
In the midst of a busy life, I pause for a moment to slow down and to welcome Your Holy Spirit. I imagine setting down all the burdens I carry with me and resting in Your presence. Knowing that You are always looking tenderly upon me, I allow myself to be still and dwell in the light of Your love.
Ask
God who hears us, today I bring you the prayer that weighs on my heart, a prayer for the deceased. I know that we must all part from the ones we love, but I find peace in recalling that they are enveloped in Your mercy. I ask for the grace of rest for all those who have gone before us, and the grace of peace and comfort for all of us who mourn and miss them.
Listen
Jesus, I imagine sitting down at table with You, as You did so often with Your friends. As You pass me the gifts of bread and wine, I share with You my sorrow for the loss of my loved ones. Turning toward You, I hear Your kind words, assuring me that with death, life is changed, not ended. I allow Your compassion to wash over me as I hold my loved ones in my memory.
Share
In this space that I share with You, God, I feel safe opening my heart to You, speaking aloud my concern for my loved ones and my hopes for their eternal repose with You. Hearing You speak tenderly of Your love and care for my loved ones, from their earliest development in the womb to their very last breaths, I exhale deeply, knowing that You hold them in Your hands.
Reflect
Taking several deep breaths, I feel my chest rise and fall and know that You are as close as the air in my lungs. As I close my prayer, I remember with gratitude that You are with me every moment of my day, offering Your peace, compassion, and friendship. I offer my thanks for these beautiful gifts.
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