For too many people in recent months, due to the coronavirus pandemic, death or the threat of death has become an all-too present reality. Thousands have died the world over, and their loved ones have typically been unable to be with them in their final hours – unable to say their final farewells or to offer the support and comfort they so longed to give. Here are two poetic prayers from my book Poems to Help You Pray, which I hope will give some hope and consolation to those who find themselves in such a situation.
For hope beyond the grave
With the Lord’s authority, I tell you this:
those of us who are alive, left waiting for his coming,
will not be given preference over those who have died.
Rather, those of us left alive
will mysteriously be caught up with them
into the heavens to meet him,
to be by his side for ever.
1 Thessalonians 4:15, 17
The time had come, a time to die –
with heavy heart I said goodbye.
The world felt bleak, my mind was numb,
for what I feared to see had come.
Someone so dear was dead and gone,
yet, Lord, through you, life carries on –
I don’t know how, I don’t when,
but, by your grace, we’ll meet again.
For comfort in bereavement
The everlasting God is your eternal home;
his loving arms will support you for ever.
Deuteronomy 33:27
There’s so much I wanted to say, Lord,
so much I wanted to do,
all kinds of hopes left unrealised,
dreams that I’ll never see through:
news I would once have related,
deeds showing how much I cared,
love I intended to speak of –
all can no longer be shared.
Help me to face my emotions,
deal with the sorrow I feel,
cope with the pain of remembering,
such that, in time, these might heal.
Teach me to look back with gladness,
happy in spite of the tears,
grateful for wonderful memories,
joy spanning so many years.
So may I find consolation
when I feel lost and alone,
able to grieve with a smile,
thankful for all I have known.