Prayer to Bless Loved Ones at Life’s End

O eternal, gracious, and mighty God! I know not how near the end of my life may be, nor how soon Thou wilt exercise Thy authority and call me out of the world. Therefore I would prepare myself for death in good time, and turn to Thee with prayer and singing, finding in this occupation a means to delight and strengthen me in my weakness. For to pray and sing in distress restores to the heart new courage, and gives a foretaste of eternal life.

I would now prepare myself for the future world, and attend to all those things which yet need my attention in this present life. I therefore bid farewell to all my relatives, acquaintances, benefactors, and friends. I commend them, O mighty God, to Thy protection, love, and grace. Do good to them in return for the love and kindness which they have shown me. And since I cannot recompense them, do Thou richly recompense them in my stead, I leave my friends, relatives, and acquaintances; but do not Thou, O great God, leave them. Keep them in Thy fear, in faith, and in holiness, that we may see one another again in heaven. I go the way of all the earth, and go before them. But in heaven those who believe and are children of God shall meet again.

O faithful God, pour Thy abundant blessing upon those whom I leave behind me, and whom my departure will grieve and pain. The Lord bless you, my dear ones, in body and soul. The Lord be henceforth your Father, Provider, and Guardian, who shall take you under His care, provide for your necessities, and preserve you from all evil. Fear God and do right; put your trust in Him, and know that He will have mercy upon you and be gracious to you. Turn not away from Him by unbelief, wickedness, or unchristian conduct, but be faithful to Him until death, and He will give you the crown of life. Forsake not God, and He will not forsake you. Honor, serve, love, and obey Him. Yes; the God of all grace and mercy bless your going out and your coming in, that you may be and remain the blessed of the Lord. O great God, I have blessed them; let them be blessed.

I now lay me in Thy arms, O Triune God: take my soul, and receive it into everlasting bliss. I desire to depart and be with Christ. Lord Jesus, I live unto Thee, I die unto Thee; Thine I am in life and in death. Amen.