Not Home. Come Home.

A Prayer for the Elderly, Sick, and Dying

O Lord, the Everlasting God,
You who have walked with us from our first breath,
Who have seen our days unfold like a tapestry of Your grace,
We come before You now, lifting up those who are aged, those who are sick, and those who are nearing the threshold of eternity.

You are the God who does not turn away.
The world may see weakness, but You see wisdom.
The world may fear suffering, but You draw near in love.
The world may deny death, but You have conquered the grave.
For those who feel forgotten, remind them that they are cherished.
For those who feel weak, be their strength.
For those who feel afraid, be their peace.

Father, in Your mercy,
Hold close those whose bodies are failing, whose minds are fading,
Whose days are filled with loneliness or pain.
Let them know that their lives still bear fruit,
That their presence still has purpose,
That their stories still matter.
Surround them with love that reflects Your own,
With hands that serve, with voices that comfort,
With a church that does not turn away, but leans in with grace.

Jesus, You who bore our suffering,
Who wept at the tomb of Your friend,
Who carried the weight of our frailty upon the cross,
Be near to those who are sick and suffering.
Ease their pain, Lord, or grant them the grace to endure.
Fill the lonely places with Your presence.
Let them know that they are never abandoned,
That even in the silence, You are near.

Holy Spirit, Breath of Life,
For those who are dying, be their peace.
Whisper to them the truth of eternity,
That to live is Christ, to die is gain.
Let them not be overcome by fear,
But instead rest in the promise
That death is not the end, but a homecoming.

Lord, awaken Your church.
Make us a people who do not turn away from suffering,
But who moves toward it with love.
Teach us to honor the elderly,
To care for the sick,
To walk beside the dying,
That none may feel forgotten,
That all may know they are held in Your hands.

And when our own time comes,
When our strength fails and our journey nears its end,
May we face it not with fear, but with faith,
Trusting that the same God who has carried us this far
Will carry us home.

In the name of Jesus, our Savior and our hope,
Amen.