BY: CARRIE MEYER MCGRATH, MDiv, MAS
Leader: God of strength in weakness and hope in despair, we are yours in life and death.
Sustain us for the journey of walking [name of loved one] home to you.
Give us the graces you gave those who walked with your Son in his final moments on Earth.
Steady our hands, gentle our hearts and sustain our spirits that seeing your face in [name] they may also see you in us.
Reader: Matthew 27:32
As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon; this man they pressed into service to carry his cross.
All: When we are asked to serve in ways we do not anticipate, give us the strength of Simon to carry the cross of [name] with love and grace, always honoring [him/her].
Reader: Mark 15:39
When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!"
All: When [name]'s time on Earth draws to a close, give us the faith of the centurion to remind [name] that [he/she] is a beloved child of God.
Reader: Luke 23:50-53
Now there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph who, though he was a member of the council, had not consented to their plan of action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea and was awaiting the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. After he had taken the body down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb in which no one had yet been buried.
All:Give us Joseph of Arimathea's tender extravagance and quiet faithfulness as we tend to [name]'s final needs on Earth. Reveal these tasks as sacramental expressions of love.
Reader: Mark 16:1,5-6
When the sabbath was over Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him. On entering the tomb they saw a young man on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed. He said to them, "Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him."
All: When [name]'s time on Earth has ended and [he/she] has returned to you, renew in us the wonder and joy of the resurrection experienced by Mary and the other faithful women on Easter morning.
Leader: We ask you, God, to look with favor on your servant, [name], keep [him/her] near to you and assure [him/her] of your love, faithfulness and life eternal. Let us go now in the peace of God to serve with tenderness and love. Amen.
"Prayer Service," a regular department in Health Progress, may be copied without prior permission.