(or 15 November) for babies who have died before, during or shortly after birth.
Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.
Let those who have died in the womb, during or shortly after birth abide in your tent for ever,
find refuge under the shelter of your wings. (cf Psalm 61)
Thus says the Lord:
A voice is heard in Ramah,
lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children;
she refuses to be comforted for her children,
because they are no more. Jeremiah 31:15
Many people, particularly of older generations, fear for children who die before or around the time of birth and who have not been baptised. Many of these parents also lived at a time when such deaths were more common and parents were encouraged to “put it behind them” and move on, stifling their natural response to grieve – often for many years.
The Church acknowledges these little ones as children of God and commends them to the tender mercy of Christ.
A minute of silence.
We pray for the little ones whose lives have been so short,
(for Nxxxx name(s) of babies you know or have heard of)
and for their families who mourn them.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for hospital staff who care for mothers and unborn and new-born babies.
We pray for counsellors and all who support parents and siblings
in times of anxiety, fear and loss.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of tenderness,
we trust to your promise that you yourself with be with those how have died
and with those who mourn
and will wipe every tear from their eyes;
that death will be no more;
and mourning and crying and pain will be no more. cf Revelation 21: 3-4
Trusting in your mercy and love, we pray:
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.
Amen.
