Suicide
and Murder (71-79)
For
The Self-Destructive (71-74)
Ever-loving God,
We ask your
Spirit’s gentle touch upon your precious child _____. Lost in a chilling darkness, she waits upon
you for light, mercy, and guidance. Smother her attraction toward
self-destruction and stay her hand, we pray.
Let her drink deeply from the cup of your salvation, that she may find
the courage to live and the will and power to claim a future of restoration and
hope. And grant your amazing, healing
grace to triumph in her and through her each moment, each day. In Christ we pray. (71)
God of Compassion,
Send your profound blessings on _____, who is
searching for meaning and hope. Stay her
hand from self-destruction and give her the wisdom and courage to make the
choices necessary to claim the peace, comfort, and joy of this earthly life. Guide her in her daily walk that she may
find your good will and purpose. And
lead her into life anew by the power of your Spirit to save. In Christ we pray. (72)
O Melody of Love,
We thank
you for planting the song of life within our hearts, buried and tremulous
though it sometimes may be. We ask your powerful Spirit to sing for _____ at
this time of tuneless despair and grinding panic. Even when such darkness mutes her faith and her
will to live, grant that the light of Christ may shine along her way and teach
her your song of hope yet again. In
Christ we pray. (73)
Guardian of Life,
You are the
Good Shepherd of the Helpless, and your daughter _____ feels helpless to stop
the self-destruction of her body through _____ (cutting, addiction, etc.) And so we pray that you will do what she
cannot as she lets go of thinking she can recover on her own. Remind her of your power to heal through the
stories that others in her therapy group relate. Be quick to help her to understand her worth
as a human being, and her role as your beloved child. Teach her self-compassion and the time-tested
ways those in her situation have found to turn the darkness of this time into a
story of your saving grace in her life.
In the compassion and tears of Jesus we pray. (74)
For
Family Victims of Suicide (75-77)
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?. . .If I make my bed in the depths, you
are there. Psalm
139:7,8b
God of Boundless Compassion,
We believe your steadfast love
extends beyond the limits of our mortality and that your Spirit gently
accompanies each of us into a future known only to you. At this time of deep
grief and bitter questions, we leave _____in your eternal care. May your Spirit abide with ____ (each family
member) according to their great need and your everlasting mercy. Give them strength to endure what must be
endured, and guide them toward the healing pools of your peace. In Jesus our Shepherd we pray. (75)
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall
not want. He makes me lie down in green
pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.
Psalm
23:1-2
Hope of the Hopeless,
Although she may not have been
able to comprehend the love that surrounded her while she lived, we know that
_____ now rests at peace within your boundless compassion and love. We ask your
deep blessings for _____ as she reels from the enormity of loss and grief.
Comfort her and her family as she walks in this dark valley, and lead her
gently in the coming time. Let your
goodness and mercy flow upon her to uplift her fainting heart and restore her
soul. And grant her your peace now and
in the coming time. In Christ we pray. (76)
O Sanctifying Spirit,
We are so helpless
in our human condition, so unable to defray the foes of life. At times such as these, we can only pray for
your strength to be our strength, for your forgiveness to be our forgiveness,
and for your grace to fill in the deep chasms of our sorrow and despair. Look now upon _____ and _____ as they mourn
the death of their beloved _____. Cast your net around them that they may not
drown in the despair of their grieving hearts.
You know our deepest needs even when we are unable to utter them, so
hear their prayers and send ministering angels of mercy to bless and to keep
them now and in the coming time. In the
death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we pray.
(77)
Family
Victims of Murder (78-79)
Sheltering Arms,
The
dungeons of pain and anger, despair and questions buckle our knees and mute our
speech in such a shattering time as this.
But your embracing Spirit
strengthens, consoles, and speaks your mercy to our quaking souls.
Let that mercy fully flow now
upon _____ and _____ and their family at the devastating news of _____’s
murder. Be with them and guide them through the long and torturous journey that
lies ahead. And remind them through the
kindness and tender friendship of others that you bear the burden with them and
will lead them through this valley of the shadow of death. Through the
resurrected Jesus Christ we pray. (78)
Conviction
of a Loved One’s Murderer (79)
He who dwells in the shelter of
the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and
my fortress; my God in whom I trust.”
Psalm
91:1-2
Steadfast God of Love,
You have
been a refuge and a fortress for _____
and ____ who continue to learn to live
without their beloved _____, slain by the hand of another. That one has now been brought to justice and
one chapter of their ordeal is at long last over. Bless each according to their
need and your faithful, hovering. May your Spirit's healing power and the grace
of Jesus Christ prevail in their hearts each day. Amen. (79)
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