Prayerbook, Prayers for all occasions, Very Old Prayers for Mourners

O Almighty God, who knowest the weakness and frailty of our nature: We Beseech Thee to give unto us, Thy servants, whom Thou has stricken with this sorrow, such measure of Thy grace as shall enable us to bear it with humility, resignation, and submission to Thy divine will. grant that no impatient murmuring or repining thoughts may find a place in our hearts: that we may not sorrow as those who have no hope. Let not our grief exceed the bounds of reason and religion; but so temper it, we beseech Thee, with the consolations of Thy Holy Spirit, that whatever we may want in outward consolation, we may find in the inward rest of perfect submission to Thy holy will, and unshaken trust in Thy loving mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty and most merciful Father, who lovest those whom Thou chastiseth, and turnest away Thine anger from us, look down in pity upon our distress and sorrow, and grant that the affliction which it has pleased Thee to bring on us may be ameans of drawing us nearer to Thee. Strengthen us, O Lord, that we may not languish in fruitless and unavailing sorrow, but by the assistance of Thy Holy Spirit, may truly repent, meekly submit, and effectually be comforted; that we may obtain that peace which the world cannot give, and pass the rest of our life in humble resignation and cheerful obedience. Teach us to set our affections on things above, not on things of earth; on those joys which never fade, the pleasures that at Thy right hand for evermore. Amen.

O Almighty God, Judge of the living and the dead, so fit and prepare us, we beseech Thee, by Thy grace, for that last account which we must one day give; that when the time of our appointed change shall come, we may look up to Thee with joy and comfort, and may at last be received together with him (her) whom Thou has now taken from us, and with all that are near and dear to us, into that place of rest and peace where Thou shalt Thyself wipe away all tears from all eyes, and where all our troubles and sorrows shall have an end, through the merits and for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Blessed Savior and Redeemer. Amen.

I believe, O God, that my time is in Thy hand. That going through the vale of misery, I may draw waters with joy out of the fountains of Salvation.

That they that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

That blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.

That in all our affliction Christ is afflicted, and that the Angel of His presence saveth us.

That in the evening weeping may have place, but the morning gladness.

That Christ will not leave us orphans.

That as one whom his mother caresseth, so will the Lord comfort us.

That in our present tribulation, which is momentary and light, worketh for us above measure exceedingly as eternal weight of glory.

That as a Father hath pity upon his children, so hath the Lord pity on us.

That a sabbath rest remaineth for the people of God.

That He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their bruises.

That His good Spirit shall lead us into the right land.

That the God of all consolation comforteth us in all our tribulation: that we ourselves also may be able to comfort those who are in all tribulation, by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

That she who is a widow indeed and desolate, let her trust in God, and continue in supplications and prayers night and day.

That we have a great cloud of witnesses above us.

That in our Father's House there are many mansions.

That He hath there prepared a place for us.

That thought we should walk in the midst of the shadow of death we fear no evils, for He is with us.

That God is our God unto eternity, and forever and ever: He shall rule us for evermore.

That death is swallowed up in victory.

That we may not sorrow as others who have no hope.

That this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal put on immortality.

That as by a man came death, so by a Man came the Resurrection of the dead.

That Christ will reform our vile body conformably to His glorious Body.

That if our earthly house, this tent, be destroyed, we have building from God, a house not built with hands, everlasting in the heavens.

That what is mortal shall be swallowed up by life.

That we shall be like Christ, because we shall see Him as He is.

That His Saints in Paradise shall not hunger nor thirst anymore: for the Lamb that is in the midst of the Throne shall be no more, nor mourning, nor wailing, nor sorrow shall be anymore, for the former things are passed away.

That heaven and earth will pass away, but His words will not pass away.

That he cometh quickly, Amen.

Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

O most Mighty, most merciful Father, have mercy on me; have mercy on me, Good Lord. O do Thou bear me up, succor me, strengthen me in my hour of tribulation. Thou has smitten me to the dust. Thou hast sorely afflicted me; my heart fainteth within me, I am brought very low. I know not, O Lord, how to bear such sorrow: I am overwhelmed with grief. I fly to Thee for help, for Thou alone canst give me help. Help me, O Father, help me, and that soon; help me for Thy mercies sake. Make haste to help me for Thy dear Son's sake, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Almighty God, I fall down before Thee in the agony of my soul. Thou has taken my beloved one from mine eyes, I have none to help me, my heart is desolate. O comfort me, for I am very greatly troubled. Teach me, O God, in this awful hour of affliction, in this great bereavement, in this most bitter day, to have patience and Christian resignation. Teach me to bow meekly to Thy will, that my affliction may not utterly break me down, that I may be able to bear it. Thou knowest my sufferings, my sorrows, my tears; look upon me and succor me. Enable me to bear this weight of trial, for of myself I am unable to bear it. O pity me, Good Lord; pity me, most Gracious Father: for Christ's sake turn Thou Thy face towards me, and mercifully accept my prayer. Amen.

O Lord God, who correctest those whom Thou dost love, teach me in this sore trial, this dark day of very heavy chastisement, to know Thy love. Lord, I believe that Thou lovest me; help Thou mine unbelief. Teach me to see Thy love, though Thou seemest to turn Thy face from me. Increase Thy love towards me, O God, now that Thou hast smitten me, lest I be consumed; have pity on me, speak consolation to my soul. Give me of Thy comfort, for what can I do, whither can I turn, O Lord? Thou only, Who hast afflicted, can comfort me; I have none beside Thee. I come to Thee in my loneliness, my desolation, of heart, my anguish. Hold Thou me up; give me of Thy love; I kneel at Thy feet, I cast myself down before Thee; weeping do I beseech Thee to receive my prayer for Jesus' sake. Amen.

Kneeling at thy holy feet, O gracious Queen of Heaven! we offer our deepest reverence. We confess that thou art the daughter of the Eternal Father, the mother of the Divine Word, and the spouse of the Holy Ghost. Full of grace, of virtue, and of heavenly gifts, thou art the chaste temple of the Holy Trinity. With thee are treasured God's mercies, and thou, too, dost dispense them. And since thy loving heart is filled with charity, sweetness, and tender compassion for us poor sinners, we call thee Mother of holy Pity. With the greatest trust, then, do we come to thee in this our sorrow and distress. We beg that thou wouldst make us confide in thy love, by granting us (mention request), if it be God's will, and for the welfare our our souls. Cast, then, thine eyes of pity upon us and upon all our kindred. That we may not perish, shield us from the attacks of the world, the flesh, and the devil, that continually assail us. Remember, O fondest of mothers, that we are thy children, purchased with the precious blood of thy Divine Son. Pray, without ceasing, that the Adorable Trinity may give us the grace ever to be victorious over the devil, the world, and our unhallowed passions; that grace by which the just grow in holiness, sinners are converted, and heresy destroyed; by which the unbeliever is enlightened, and the Jews brought to the true religion. Bestow upon us this boon, O most pure Virgin, through the infinite bounty of the Most High, through the merits of thy Son, by the care with which thou didst nourish Him, by the devotion with which thou didst service Him, by the love with which thou didst cherish Him, by thy tears and anguish endured in His holy Passion. Obtain for us the great favor that the whole world may be made one people and one Church, which shall give thanks, praise, and glory to the most Holy Trinity, and to thee who art is mediator.

May the power of the Father, the wisdom of the Son, and the virtue of the Holy Ghost, grant us this blessing, Amen.