The Mystery of Death and Christian Funerals - #12

The following prayers are for those who mourn. Notice the adjectives that describe God and the verbs that manifest God's relationship with the deceased and with us. These prayers sensitively enter into the terrible pain of those who lose a child.

Prayers 8-12 are used when a baptized child has died. These are splendid new compositions.

Prayer 8. Lord of all gentleness, surround us with your care and comfort us in our sorrow, for we grieve at the loss of this (little) child. As you washed N. in the waters of baptism and welcomed him/her and share for ever the joy of your kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Prayer 9. Eternal Father, through the intercession of Mary, who bore your Son and stood by the cross as he died, grant to these parents in their grief the assistance of her presence, the comfort of her faith, and the reward of her prayers. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer 10. Lord God, source and destiny of our lives, in your loving providence you gave us N. to grow in wisdom, age, and grace. Now you have called him/her to yourself. We grieve over the loss of one so young and struggle to understand your purpose. Draw him/her to yourself and give him/her full stature in Christ. May he/she stand with all the angels and saints, who know your love and praise your saving will. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our lord. Amen.

Prayer 11. Merciful Lord, whose wisdom is beyond human understanding, you adopted N. as your own in baptism and have taken him/her to yourself even as he/she stood on the threshold of life. Listen to our prayers and extend to us your grace, that one day we may share eternal life with N., for we firmly believe that he/she now rests with you. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Prayer 12. Lord God, from whom human sadness is never hidden, you know the burden of grief that we feel at the loss of this child. As we mourn his/her passing from this life, comfort us with the knowledge that N. lives now in your loving embrace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers 13-14 are used for a child who died before being baptized.

Prayer 13. O Lord, whose ways are beyond understanding, listen to the prayers of your faithful people: that those weighed down by grief at the loss of this (little) child may find reassurance in your infinite goodness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer 14. God of all consolation, searcher of mind and heart, the faith of these parents (N. and N.) is known to you. Comfort them with the knowledge that the child for whom they grieve is entrusted now to your loving care. We ask this through Christ our lord. Amen.

The last prayer is for a stillborn child.

Prayer 15. Lord God, ever caring and gentle, we commit to your love this little one, quickened to life for so short a time. Enfold him/her in eternal life. We pray for his/her parents who are saddened by the loss of their child. Give them courage and help them in their pain and grief. May they all meet one day in the joy and peace of your kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.