A Prayer About Death

When I consider my mortality

FATHER GOD,

Lately I have been reminded about the brevity of life—it goes so fast. I’m getting older, and I feel it. And when I hear about someone my age dying, I realize that it could have been me. I know death is inevitable, of course—everyone dies eventually, some much sooner than others—but usually I put that truth out of my mind; I just don’t want to think about it . . . until something shocks me back to reality. I say that I don’t fear death because I know I will live eternally with you. I do believe that and trust you fully for my salvation. But at times I’m afraid of the prospect of dying, of leaving all I hold dear on earth. Mostly, I fear the deaths of those I love, especially those who don’t know you. Oh, how I wish they would give their lives to you and be assured of their eternal destiny. Please, God, calm my anxious heart and help me remember that you are always with me—here, in death, and beyond.

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?” 1 Corinthians 15:54-55