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.
Prayer of the Bystanders for the Sick One.
Almighty, Merciful God, who keepest our life in death, we pray Thee, turn
the eyes of Thy mercy to this sick person, strengthen him in body and
soul, and forgive him all his sins through Thy grace. Take the sacrifice
of the innocent death of Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, as a propitiation
for his transgressions, since he, too, is baptized in His name, washed
and cleansed with His blood. Save him from the pains and agonies of his
body. Shorten his sufferings. Keep him from the accusations of his
conscience and all temptations of the enemy, so that in faith he may
truly battle and conquer. Grant him a blessed translation to the eternal
life. Send Thy holy angels, that they accompany him to the blessed
company of all the elect in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer When the Patient Has Died in the Lord.
Jesus Christ, Thou Lord of glory and Prince of life, we glorify and thank
Thee now and always, that Thou hast so mercifully helped this now blessed
one, and hast taken his soul into Thy holy keeping. And when the last day
cometh Thou wouldest reunite his soul with his body in heavenly radiance,
and grant us altogether, when the divinely appointed hour cometh, to
follow him in blessedness. Meanwhile grant us a Christian conduct,
refresh all sorrowing hearts with heavenly solace. Keep us in Thy eternal
grace, for the sake of Thy inexhaustible mercy and goodness. Amen. O Thou
most holy, most glorious Trinity. Amen.