END OF LIFE MINISTRIES
When meeting with assisted living communities, one of the facilities expressed an interest in an End of Life Ministry. This was not a ministry we had not even thought of but is an awesome idea. As we talked about the idea, and what they had in mind, it was simple.
Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy
to bear, and the burden I give you is light.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Romans 8:35, 37-39
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 14:27
I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
Psalm 56:10-13
I praise God for what he has promised; yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? I will fulfill my vows to you, O God, and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help. For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light.
1 Corinthians 15:50-57
What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
John 11:25-26
Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.
Job 19:25-27
But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!
Philippians 1:21-23
For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.
Watching Over You (Psalm 121)
This is another psalm that is familiar to many. I’ll usually speak it directly to the person who is approaching life’s end, whether or not they show signs of hearing or understanding:
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Psalm 131 is a lullaby. I sometimes pray it for myself as I lay down my head on my pillow. It’s an especially beautiful lullaby for someone who is approaching the end of this life (again, I’ll substitute the person’s name, especially in the last line):
My heart is not proud, Lord,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.
Israel, put your hope in the Lord
both now and forevermore.
Trusting and Unafraid (Isaiah 12:2)
These lines are so reassuring, especially to the lonely and fearful soul:
Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.
You Are Mine (Isaiah 43:1-3a)
These strong verses stand on their own, but I’ll sometimes punctuate them with God’s words to Joshua in Joshua 1:5 (“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you”):
But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
To Prepare a Place (John 14:1-3)
Jesus’ words to His followers, common at funerals, can supply deep comfort in a person’s last hours on earth:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
Everything New (Revelation 1:1-7)
Among the last words in the Bible is this hope-giving vision of the redeemed soul’s future, when all will be new:
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”
What will separate us from the love of Christ? (Rom 8:35)
Whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. (Rom 14:8)
We shall always be with the Lord. (1 Thes 4:17)
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. (Ps 25:1)
Though I should walk in the valley of the shadow of death, no evil would I fear, for you are with me. (Ps 23:4)
Into your hands I commend my spirit. (Ps 31:6a)
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. (Lk 23:42)
Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. (Acts 7:59)
Revelation 21:4: He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Psalm 23:4: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Romans 8:38-39: For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Prayer to Know Jesus Before Dying (From PrayWithMe.com) -- Lord Jesus, Come into my life. I believe you died and rose from the grave. I believe you live eternally in heaven. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Forgive me of all my sins. Move into my heart. I make you my Lord and Savior. Thank you for your sacrifice. I accept your gift of eternal salvation. Amen.
A Prayer for Someone Dying (By Paul C. Stratman, 2018) -- Gracious Father, your holy Word tells us that our times are in your hands. Hear our prayers for _____ and for their family as they near the end of their earthly life. Comfort them with your gracious promises of the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayers for the Dying (Modified from The Abridged Treasury of Prayers: An Epitome from the Larger Gebets-Schatz, 1906) --
1. Almighty, eternal God, heavenly Father, comfort and strengthen this your servant and save them through your goodness. Deliver them from all anguish and distress, release them in your grace, and take them to yourself in your kingdom; through Jesus Christ your dear Son, our only Lord Savior, and Redeemer. Amen.
2. Almighty, eternal God, have compassion on the anxious sighs and groanings of this dying person. Receive them into your kingdom that you have mercifully prepared for them and all believers from the beginning of the world. Graciously release them, O Lord, and comfort them eternally with the elect; through your dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Pray for Someone Near Death (Freely modified from A Book of Collects in Two Parts, 1919.) --
O God, our heavenly Father, have pity on your children in great bodily weakness who are drawing near the gates of death. Send your dear Son to meet with them on the way, and to stay with them, for the day is now far spent, that he may comfort them with the Word of your goodness, and break with them the bread of eternal life; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for the Family of the Dying
God, Bring this family peace. Provide them with your comfort. Let them know you tenderly care for each and every one of them. Lead them to be reunited with their loved one someday. Sit with them in their mourning. Let your presence provide rest. Thank you, for the gift of life that [Insert Name of Dying] brought to the world. May he rest peacefully with you for eternity. Amen.
By Brad Andres