Welcome to season 2 of the Determined to Dance podcast. I pray that you’ll be uplifted, encouraged, and will move forward each and every day. Today’s episode, Prayerful Situations: Death, focuses on praying for the dying and those left behind.

Show Notes: Prayerful Situations: Death

Death. The last topic in my Prayerful Situations series. We’ve looked at how to pray when it comes to:

Natural disasters
Money problems
Sin
War
Illness
Pain

And now one of the most difficult subjects for people to discuss.

Death or dying.

Most people, including myself, don’t like to think of the end of life for ourselves or others. But the truth is we start dying the day we are born. Job 14: 1-2 says, “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He comes forth like a flower and fades away; he flees like a shadow and does not continue.”

Job dealt with tragedy himself and understood the brevity of life. If not for the promises of heaven and eternity, it would be easy to live depressed and fearful. But our dance with God continues when we step into eternity. John 14:1-3 says:

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” NLT

Jesus has prepared a home for us. God is ever-present here on earth. How do we pray for others when it comes to taking that last step? And how can we intercede for those left behind?

Many times, I’ve prayed for people who were in their last days while I was at home or in church. Even in my car. It’s essential for Christians to lift up people to God for healing. We can’t know if it is that person’s time, so we pray in faith for restoration, knowing that whether they have more time on earth or step into eternity and God’s presence, they are healed.

What do we need to consider when praying for the dying? I asked Roger Boswell, the pastor of The Bridge Church where I attend, for his thoughts. He gave me three.

Tie in God’s will. Our days on earth are numbered and only God knows each person’s needs for our time here. The Bible verse that brought me comfort when my father passed away suddenly at the age of 53 was Isaiah 57: 1-2: “The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.”
Be merciful and kind. If you’re praying aloud, give thanks for their life. Remind them that God is near and pray for their soul to be calmed. Let the person know they are greatly loved.
Pray for less pain and suffering. Not only in the physical but near the end of life some people struggle with regrets, shame, or guilt. Pray for peace and the ability to release the past and trust God with the final part of life’s journey.

What do we do if we’re not sure the person knows Jesus and heaven is their destination? First, let them know they are not alone. God and their friends and family will be with them to the end. If they are conscious, you can then ask them in a kind and gentle way.

If they seem unconscious, they may still be aware and hear you. Either way, the example of the thief on the cross with Jesus gives us hope that even at the end, anyone can change and be with Him. I found this prayer on Christianity.com for those near death:

“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.”

Twice, I have prayed for dying people on the scene. The first time,