Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies:
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee:
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!
Prayers for the Sick and Dying
Prayer of a Patient.
Lord God, Heavenly Father! Thou art a faithful God, and wilt not suffer any one to be tempted beyond what he is able, but rather with the temptation wilt also make a way to escape, that he may be able to bear it. I supplicate Thee in my great suffering and pain, so shape the cross, that it may not lay too heavily upon me, and strengthen me that I may bear it with patience, and nevermore despair of Thy mercy. O Christ, Thou Son of the living God! Thou hast endured the agony of the cross for me, and hast died for my sins, I beseech Thee with my whole heart, have mercy upon me a poor sinner, and forgive me my transgressions, wherever I have sinned against Thee. Let my faith in no wise diminish. O God Holy Ghost! Thou true comforter in all times of need. Keep me ever in the spirit of patience and supplication. Sanctify me in my reliance upon Thee. Turn not from me in the hour of my death, and lead me from this vale of sorrow to Thyself in heaven. Amen.
Prayer for a Blessed End.
O Merciful God, Thou hast put a limit to man’s life, which no man can set aside. For he has his definite time, the number of his months rests with Thee. Thou hast numbered all our days, which pass away like a stream, as though we flew away. Man is like grass, which soon withereth, like the flower of the field, which passeth away. Teach me, O merciful God, to know and take to heart, that I, too, must pass away and that my life has a limit, and I must go hence. Behold, my days are as a handbreadth before Thee, and my life as nothing in Thy sight. Every man at his best is altogether vanity. Lord, so teach us to number our days, what it is, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Lord, teach me to remember that I must die, and have no continuing city in this pilgrimage. Make known unto me my short and transient being, that I may often think of my end, so that in this world I may not live unto myself, but live and die unto Thee, so that I may bravely and joyously await the day of my translation and the appearance of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, and with a consecrated life and a pious conduct hasten to Him. Bless me, O God, with a blessed departure, and when my hour cometh, that I may joyously die, find a rational end in true knowledge, and that my reason and intellect be not deranged, and I speak no arrogant words or blasphemies against Thee, my Lord, or against my salvation. Preserve me from an evil sudden death and from eternal damnation. Let me not be suddenly overcome by my last hour without warning, but that I may prepare myself with true repentance and sincere faith. And when it comes make me joyous and brave for my temporal death, which only opens the door to the eternal life. May I then, as Thy servant, depart in peace. For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel. Grant that my last word may be that which Thy dear Son spoke on the cross, “Father, into Thy hands do I commend My spirit!” And when I can no longer speak, hear Thou my last sigh through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayer in the Hour of Death.
Almighty, Everlasting, and Most Merciful Lord and God! Thou art the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and I know that Thou art willing and able to fulfill whatsoever Thou hast said. Thou canst not lie. Thy word is truth. Thou hast from the beginning promised me Thy dear Son Jesus Christ. And He is come, and has redeemed me from the devil, death, hell, and sin. And in Thy gracious providence Thou hast for a greater surety established the sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion in which His true natural body and blood are given me in, with, and under the bread and wine, thus offering and assuring me of the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and every heavenly gift. And because of this Thy assurance I have made use of these means of grace, and firmly relying upon Thy word have received them. And now I do not doubt but that I am secure from the power of the devil, death, hell, and sin. And if now my hour hath come, and this is Thy divine will, I will gladly and willingly depart hence and be with Thee in peace. Amen.