8 Best Prayers for the Faithful Departed

Praying for the dead is one of the many acts we can perform to help our loved ones enter more quickly to the fullness of heaven. These are especially good for offering a novena. Here is one look at some great prayers for the faithful departed.

See Your Glory Prayer
Gracious Father, thank you for the times and seasons you gave us with our loved one, [name]. He was a great person who devoted his/her life to you. Our beloved died knowing that he/she was coming back to you. Father, we also know and believe that to be absent from the body is to be present with you; that is why we come before you with hopeful hearts knowing that our dearly beloved will see your glory. Thank you, Father, for loving [name] and seeing it fit to take him/her home in this season. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

Thanksgiving Prayer
O God, Creator of the Universe, we know that seasons and times are in your hands. You give life and take it away. Thank you for giving us such a wonderful person, [name]. Thank you for the lives that you touched through our friend, [name], who is now at home with you. Even though we on earth have lost a great person, heaven has gained one of its own. All glory comes back to you, Father, for it was not our friend’s doing that enabled him/her to come to you but your own doing. Lord, grant us peace as we mourn the loss of [name] and always remind us that he/she is with you. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

Forgiveness Prayer
Lord, my Refuge, we are devastated by the death of our beloved, [name]. It pains us so much to lose someone who we love so dearly. Lord, comfort our hearts and help us to accept what has happened. Heavenly Father, even though we are shocked about his/her demise, we mourn knowing that [name] is in your presence. Please, Father, forgive [name] where she had strayed from you. Let not what he/she did during her final days on earth block him/her from enjoying your presence. Remember his/her faithfulness towards you, dear Lord, and bring him/her before your throne of grace. In Jesus’ name, I believe and pray, Amen.

Fond Memories
Dear God of All Comfort, print all the fond memories we shared with our brother/sister, [name], who has left this earth and come before you into our hearts. Please help us to remember the great exploits that he/she did for your kingdom, and may those memories motivate us to serve you faithfully. As we attend his/her funeral and burial, help us to remember that he/she was a faithful person who served you with all his/her heart. May we mourn as believers in Christ, and not as unbelievers. Thank you for giving our family such a wonderful person. We know that we will meet [name] when we come back home to be with you, where he/she awaits us. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Your Presence Prayer
O Lord God Almighty, the giver of life, we are gathered here to celebrate the lives of those that left us and came into your presence. Lord, because of their faithfulness to you, we believe that they are now enjoying your presence. We honor you highly for placing these people in our lives and using them to make a difference in our lives. Some of us are here because your faithful servants preached the gospel and helped us to know you. May they bask in your glory forever and ever, Amen.

Rest in You Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for us. If it were not for your great sacrifice, we would all be lost forever. I want to thank you for the life of our departed soul, [name]. He/She loved everyone and strived to make a positive impact in the lives of those with whom he/she interacted. Lord, as we celebrate a life well-lived, we ask you to grant him/her eternal peace. May [name] find full rest in you and join the heavenly hosts in singing your glory. In Jesus’ name, we believe and pray, Amen.

Families of the Faithful Prayer
God of Enduring Faithfulness, I come before you today on behalf of those families that have lost their loved ones. Lord, they are in so much pain, and some are very bitter because of the loss. Others are living in denial; they do not want to accept that their loved ones are dead. Lord, heal their hearts and grant them peace. Please give them the courage to accept what has happened and help them to find hope in you. Help those that are bitter to let go and accept your comfort. May they mourn knowing that their loved ones are with you. Assure them that this separation is just for a season if they choose to walk in your ways. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Mercy Prayer
Most Merciful Father, grant the soul of our loved one, [name], mercy. He/She has departed from this world. Please forgive him/her of his/her trespasses and usher him/her into your presence. May your faithful servant find refreshment, peace, and joy before you, O Lord. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

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