(or 19 November) for those who have died from illness of body or mind
Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.
Let those who have died from illness of body or mind abide in your tent for ever,
find refuge under the shelter of your wings. (cf Psalm 61)
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff— they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long. Psalm 22(23)
Many people die from illnesses that afflict the body – cancers, diseases of bodily organs, infections, and disorders that affect the brain – or simply a combination of all of these as the body ages and becomes frail. These are hard to face – for the person affected and their family and friends – but they may offer a chance to prepare for death – moving beyond fear and resentment to acceptance and readiness to let go of this life and enter the next.
A minute of silence.
We pray for those who have died from an illness of body or mind –
(especially Nxxxx – name of someone you know)
for their families, their friends and all affected by their deaths.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for doctors and nurses responsible for diagnosing and treating illness,
for hospital chaplains and all who support people during their last illness.
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.
