How do those without faith countenance the death of a loved one? I know that over the years I could not have faced the passing of family members and friends without my hope and trust, my belief, that death is not the end...
For our Night Prayer this evening, let's ponder and pray over these words from the Vigil for the Deceased (the wake service)...
Brothers and sisters:
we believe that all the ties of friendship and affection
which knit us as one throughout our lives
do not unravel with death.
Confident that God always remembers
we believe that all the ties of friendship and affection
which knit us as one throughout our lives
do not unravel with death.
Confident that God always remembers
the good we have done
and forgives our sins,
let us pray, asking God to gather ___ to himself.
and forgives our sins,
let us pray, asking God to gather ___ to himself.
Lord our God,
the death of our (brother/sister) ___
recalls our human condition
and the brevity of our lives on earth.
But for those who believe in your love
death is not the end,
nor does it destroy the bonds you forge
in our lives.
We share the faith of your Son's disciples
and the hope of the children of God.
Bring the light of Christ's peace
to this time of sorrow and loss
as we pray for ___
and for those who love him/her
through Christ our Lord.
to this time of sorrow and loss
as we pray for ___
and for those who love him/her
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Our God "knits us as one" throughout our lives in ties of love and affection. Not even death can unravel what God has knit together. God "forges bonds of love" among us that cannot be destroyed. Neither loss nor pain, neither grief nor sadness can separate us from the love of those who have gone before us...
Tonight's song isn't scriptural and it's a different musical style, but it pairs well with the prayer above...
I Will See You Soon Again by Evie Karlsson
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I shall see you soon again in the land of life
I shall hear your voice again singing praise to The Lamb
No more heartache, no more pain, you are home free
So, i’ll see you soon again in the land of life
Where there is peace, peace in His presence
And joy evermore
You will never more depart
Never face one more goodbye
You are home
So, I’ll see you soon again in the land of life
I shall hear your voice again singing praise to The Lamb
No more heartache, no more pain
you are home free
So, I’ll see you soon again in the land of life
No more heartache, no more pain
you are home free
So, I’ll see you soon again in the land of life
(What a hope!)
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