PRAYERS AND POEMS
Please choose the prayer or poem you want to use:
AFTERGLOW
I would like the memory of me to be a happy one, I would like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I would like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I would like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun, Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.
LOVE LIVES ON
Those we love remain with us for love itself lives on, and cherished memories never fade because a loved one is gone. Those we love can never be more than a thought apart, for as long as there is memory, they will live on in the heart.
GRIEVE NOT
Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears. For I am still beside you, as I have been all these years. Although my tired body rests, I still live within your heart. For as long as we have love, we will never be apart. Until such day we meet again, I know you love me too, but always keep this in your heart; It was heaven here with you.
SERENITY PRAYER
God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference.
GOD LOOKED AROUND HIS GARDEN
God looked around His garden And found an empty place. He then looked down upon the earth And saw your tired face. He put His arms around you And lifted you to rest. God's garden must be beautiful He always takes the best. He saw the road was getting rough And the hills were hard to climb, So He closed your weary eyelids And whispered 'Peace be thine.' It broke our hearts to lose you But you didn't go alone, For part of us went with you The day God called you home.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father, which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen
GONE AHEAD
I always thought that I would show you the way, Teach you your colors, about life, how to pray. I would lead you along, hold your hand. Expound the mysteries of life and death. But now, you leave me behind. Your hand no longer nestles mine. No need for me to light your way. You've gone ahead. Who will wipe your nose now? I know no need for that where you are. Do you need a mother now? I need to be your mother, Although you've gone ahead.
A THOUSAND WINDS
Do not stand by my grave and weep, for I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond’s glint on snow. I am sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle Autumn’s rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush, I am the swift uplifting rush. Of quiet birds in circle flight, I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die.
I'M FREE
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah yes, these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I’ve savored much, Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief; Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts and share with me, God wanted me now; He set me free.
ALWAYS IN YOUR HEART
Hush now, please don’t cry There comes a time when we all die Just take heed now that I’m at peace And from my pain I have release. I will always be watching over you Our love will always be held true Don’t you weep now, don’t you mourn For my heart will then be torn. Just remember the good times we shared Knowing that we always cared I’ve not gone away, we’ll never part As I will always be in your heart.
I ONLY WANTED YOU
They say memories are golden well maybe that is true. I never wanted memories I only wanted you. In life I loved you dearly, In death I love you still. In my heart you hold a place no one could ever fill. If tears could build a stairway and heartache make a lane, I’d walk the path to heaven and bring you back again.
HE ONLY TAKES THE BEST
God saw you getting tired, And a cure was not to be. So he put his arms around you, And whispered “Come to me”. With tearful eyes we watched you, And saw you pass away. Although we loved you dearly, We could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, Hard working hands to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.
By Therese Pearman
MY ANGEL IN THE SKY
My angel in the sky, who comes to me in dreams at night. You left me without a single word, but when I close my eyes, your voice is heard. Telling me you’ll be alright, that you’re not scared, you’re in the light. And now whenever I need you near, I close my eyes and you appear. You’re my angel in the sky, who comes to me in dreams at night. To let me know that you’re alright, you are with God, you are in the light.
by Tanya Kendall
IN OUR HEARTS
We thought of you with love today But that is nothing new We thought about you yesterday And days before that too We think of you in silence We often speak your name Now all we have are memories And your picture in a frame Your memory is our keepsake With which we’ll never part God has you in his keeping
We have you in our hearts.
MISS ME, BUT LET ME GO
When I come to the end of the road, and the sun has set for me, I want no rites in a gloom-filled room, Why cry for a soul set free? Miss me a little, but not too long, and not with your head bowed low. Remember the love that we once shared, Miss me, but let me go. For this is a journey we must all take, and each must go alone. It’s all part of the Master’s plan, A step on the road to home. When you are lonely and sick of heart, Go to the friends we know. And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds, Miss me, but let me go.
ONE OF THE BEST
You left us so quietly, Your thoughts unknown. You left us memories, We are proud to own. So treasured by the Lord, In your garden of rest. For on earth you were One of the best.
WHEN I MUST LEAVE YOU
When I must leave you for a little while Please do not grieve and shed wild tears And hug your sorrow to you through the years But start out bravely with a gallant smile; And for my sake and in my name live on and do all things the same, Feed not your loneliness on empty days, But fill each waking hour in useful ways, Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer And I in turn will comfort you and hold you near; And never, never be afraid to die, For I am waiting for you in the sky!
PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is discord, harmony; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; And where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; To be understood as to understand; To be loved, as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
LET ME GO
Let Me Go We’ve known lots of pleasure, At times endured pain, We’ve lived in the sunshine And walked in the rain. But now we’re separated And for a time apart, But I am not alone You’re forever in my heart. Death always seems so sudden, And it is always sure, But what is often forgotten It is not without a cure. I’m walking now with someone, And I know He’ll always stay, I know He’s walking with you too, Giving comfort everyday. There may be times you miss me, I sort of hope you do, But smile when you think of me, For I’ll be waiting for you. Now there are many things for you to do, And lots of ways to grow, So get busy, be happy, and live your life, Miss me, but let me go.
By Lisa Taylor
ONLY GOD KNOWS WHY
We grieve for you in silence And try so not to show But what it meant to lose you No one will ever know. You wished no one a farewell Or ever said good-bye. You were gone before we knew it And only God knows why. A golden heart stopped beating A gentle person at rest God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best. If stairs were made of heartache By adding teardrops, too I’d be a staircase to heaven And climb each day to you.
(Tracy Hicks)
YOUR GENTLE FACE
Your gentle face and patient smile With sadness we recall, You had a kindly word for each And died beloved by all. The voice is mute and stilled the heart That loved us well and true, Ah, bitter was the trial to part From one so good as you. You are not forgotten loved one Nor will you ever be, As long as life and memory last We will remember thee. We miss you now, our hearts are sore, As time goes by we miss you more. Your loving smile, your gentle face, No one can fill your empty place.
THE BROKEN CHAIN
We little knew that morning that God Was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, In death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, You did not go alone; For part of us went with you, The day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories, Your love is still our guide; And though we can not see you, You are always at our side. Our family chain is broken, And nothing seems the same; But as God calls us one by one, The Chain will link again.
SAFELY HOME
I am home in heaven, dear ones; Oh, so happy and so bright! There is perfect joy and beauty In this everlasting light. All the pain and grief are over, Every restless tossing passed; I am now at peace forever, Safely home in Heaven at last. Did you wonder how I so calmly Trod in the valley of the shade? Oh! But Jesus’s love illumined Every dark and fearful glade. And He came Himself to meet me In that way so hard to tread; And with Jesus’s arm to lean on, Could I have one doubt or dread? Then you must not grieve so sorely, For I love you dearly still; Try to look beyond earth’s shadows, Pray to trust our Father’s will. There is work still waiting for you, So you must not idly stand; Do it now, while life remaineth, You shall rest in Jesus’s land. When that work is all completed, He will gently call you Home, Oh, the rapture of that meeting, Oh, the joy to see you come!
WHEN TOMORROW STARTS
When tomorrow starts without me And I’m not there to see; If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears of me; I wish so much you wouldn’t cry, The way you did today, While thinking of the many things We didn’t get to say. I know how much you love me, As much as I love you, And each time you think of me I know you’ll miss me too; But when tomorrow starts without me, Please try to understand, That an Angel came and called my name And took me by the hand And said my place was ready In heaven far above And that I would have to leave behind All those I dearly love. As I walked through heaven’s gates, I felt so much at home. When tomorrow starts without me Don’t think we’re far apart, For every time you think of me, I’m right here, in your heart.
WELCOME HOME
When I am gone, release me, let me go I have so many things to see and do. You mustn’t tie yourselves to me with tears, just be happy that we had some years. I gave you my love, you can only guess how much you gave to me in happiness. I thank you for the love you each have shown, but now it’s time I traveled on alone. Do grieve a while for me if you must then let your grief be comforted by trust. It’s only for a while that we must part, so keep our memories within your hearts. I won’t be far away, for life goes on. So if you need me, call and I will come. Though you can’t see or touch me I’ll be near, and if you listen with your heart you will hear, All of my love around so soft and dear. When you must come this way alone, I’ll greet you with a smile and say “Welcome Home”.
23RD PSALM
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want, He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters, He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, For Thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
BEYOND THE SUNSET
Should you go first and I remain, to walk the road alone, I’ll live in memory’s garden, dear With happy days we’ve known. In spring I’ll wait for roses red, When faded, the lilacs blue. In early fall when brown leaves fall, I’ll catch a glimpse of you. Should you go first and I remain, For battles to be fought, Each thing you’ve touched along the way will be a hallowed spot. I’ll hear your voice I’ll see your smile, Tho blindly I may grope. The memory of your helping hand will buoy me on with hope. Should you go first and I remain, One thing, you’ll have to do, Walk slowly down that long long path for soon, I’ll follow you. I want to know each step you take, So I may do the same. For someday down that lonely road, You’ll hear me call your name.
FOOTPRINTS
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it, “Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most, you would leave me.” The Lord replied, “My son. My precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
GOD'S CHILD
Mommy, Please don’t be so sad, I miss you so much too. It’s beautiful here where I am But I worry a lot about you. I sleep with the angels watching over me There’s only love up here. I’m never lonely or afraid, ‘Cause God’s so very near. I walk with Jesus every day He’s very kind and sweet. Don’t worry Mommy: He holds my hand When we cross a golden street. I never cry or hurt myself I see my loved ones everyday. I play and laugh and sing a lot And I hear you when you pray. Please Mommy, don’t be mad at God You see, he loves me too. And even though you’re not here with me, I’m really still with you.
IRISH BLESSING
May the road rise to Meet you May the wind be always at your back May the sun shine warm upon your face May the rains fall soft upon your fields And until we meet again May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
SOFTLY IN THE MORNING
Softly in the morning, You heard a gentle call, You took the hand God offered you, And quietly left us all. The day you left us, Our hearts just broke in two, The smallest part is still with us, And the biggest part with you. For the rest of our lives We will miss you, Our secret tears still flow, Oh, how we really love you, No one will ever know. We miss your smile, your gentle ways, We miss the things you used to say. And when old times we do recall It's then we miss you most of all. You were always there when we needed you No task too great or small, With loving heart and willing hands, For us you did it all. Look around your garden Lord, And when she turns and smiles, Put your arms around her, And hold her for awhile.
MEMORIES LIVE FOREVER
A bouquet of beautiful memories, sprayed with a million tears, wishing God could have spared you, if just for a few more years. It does not take a special day, for us to think of you, each Mass we hear, each prayer we say, is offered up for you. We cannot bring the old days back, when we were all together, our family chain is broken now, but memories live forever
BUTTERFLY
As you danced in the light with joy, love lifted you. As you brushed against this world so gently, you lifted us.
A SEASON FOR EVERYTHING
There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation under heaven. A time for giving birth, A time for dying, A time for planting, A time for uprooting what has been planted. A time for killing, A time for healing; A time for knocking down, A time for building. A time for tears, A time for laughter; A time for mourning, A time for dancing. A time for throwing stones away, A time for gathering them up; A time for embracing, A time to refrain from embracing. A time for searching, A time for losing; A time for keeping, A time for throwing away. A time for tearing, A time for sewing; A time for keeping silent, A time for speaking. A time for loving, A time for hating; A time for war, A time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
IF I SHOULD GO
If I should go tomorrow It would never be goodbye, For I have left my heart with you, So do not ever cry. The love that is deep within me, Shall reach you from the stars, You will feel it from the heavens, And it will heal the scars.
LIFE IS BUT A STOPPING PLACE
Life is but a stopping place, a pause in what is to be, a resting place along the road to sweet eternity. We all have different journeys, different paths along the way, we all were meant to learn some things, but never meant to stay. Our destination is a place far greater than we know, for some, the journey is quicker, for some the journey is slow. And when the journey finally ends, we will claim a great reward, and find an everlasting peace, together with the Lord.
GATES OF PRAYER
At the rising sun and at its going down we remember them. At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter we remember them. At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring we remember them. At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer we remember them. At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of the autumn we remember them. At the beginning of the year and when it ends we remember them. As long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us. As we remember them. When we are weary and in need of strength we remember them. When we are lost and sick at heart we remember them. When we have decisions that are difficult to make we remember them. When we have joy we crave to share we remember them. When we have achievements that are based on theirs we remember them. For as long as we live, they too will live, For they are now a part of us, as we remember them.
from the Reform Judaism Prayer Book
WE SAT BESIDE YOU
We sat beside your bedside, our hearts were crushed and sore; we did our best to the end, ‘til we could do no more. In tears we watched you sinking, we watched you fade away; and though our hearts were breaking, we knew you could not stay. You left behind some aching hearts, that loved you most sincere; we never shall and never will forget you.
THOSE WE LOVE
Those we love must someday pass beyond our present sight... Must leave us and the world we know without their radiant light. But we know that like a candle their lovely light will surely shine to brighten up another place more perfect... more divine. And in the realm of Heaven Where they shine so warm and bright. Our loved ones live forevermore in God’s eternal light.
A PLACE WHERE CHILDREN ARE
What kind of place would heaven be with all its streets of gold, if all the souls, that dwell up there like yours and mine, were old? How strange would heavens music sound when harps begin to ring, if children were not gathered around to help the angels sing. The children that God sends to us are only just a loan, He knows we need their sunshine to make the house a home. We need the inspiration of a baby’s blessed smile. He doesn’t say they’ve come to stay, just lends them for a while. Sometimes it takes them years to do the work for which they come. Sometimes in just a month or two our Father calls them home. I like to think some souls up there bear not one sinful scar. I love to think of heaven as a place where children are.
A BRIDGE CALLED LOVE
It takes us back to brighter years, to happier sunlit days and to precious moments that will be with us always. And these fond recollections are treasured in the heart to bring us always close to those from whom we had to part. There is a bridge of memories from earth to Heaven above... It keeps our dear ones near us It's the bridge that we call love.