Prayer to Commit Body and Soul to God

Gracious and loving Father, who turnest man to destruction, and sayest, Return, ye children of men; who takest Thy dear ones to Thyself through death, and makest them partakers of the glory which Jesus has acquired by His bitter sufferings and death! I am aware that my weakness is a voice loudly admonishing me: “Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die and not live: prepare to meet the Bridegroom; keep Thy lamp of faith burning.” And since I do not know when my hour shall come, I would now, while there is yet time, commend myself to Thee, and commit my soul with all its powers to Thy keeping. Free my heart from all worldly things, drive out from it all worldly, sinful, and evil thoughts, that I may delight in Thee alone, rejoice in Thee, speak of Thee, picture to myself Thy glory, and contemplate unceasingly the heavenly joy which awaits me. Fill my heart with Thy Holy Spirit, that He may create good impulses within me. Help me to remember Jesus Christ, and to keep His atoning death ever before my eyes.

When the hour of death is at hand, preserve me, if it be Thy will, from temptations, despondency, extreme pain, and unbecoming actions. Let me remain conscious to my end, till my breath is gone from me, that my heart and mouth and spirit may sing and speak and pray. And if I should lose my speech, grant that I may taste Thy sweetness in my heart, and feel Thy presence there. Grant me grace to die happy and joyful. Give me a glimpse of the blessedness above, and let me, in the hour of death, have a foretaste of the sweetness of heaven, that I may depart in joy and peace.

As my spirit leaves my body, I commend it to Thee; O take it into Thy hands. Father, into Thy hands I commend my soul. Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Clothe it with Thy perfect righteousness, and lead it into the joys of heaven like a bride to the wedding festivities, like a child to its inheritance, till on the last day it shall be reunited with the body. Yea, I commend to Thee my body also, which shall lie in the cool earth; grant it a soft repose till the last trumpet shall sound and give forth the call; “Arise, ye dead, and appear before the judgment.” And then let me for Christ’s sake arise joyful to life eternal. Amen.