Transform Loneliness into Comfort

Lord Jesus,
you were alone
in your suffering on the cross.
Be near those who are alone
in their pain and sorrow today.
Let your gracious presence
transform their loneliness into comfort,
since you are the sure refuge
of the weary and heavy laden.
Amen.

Source: Freely modified from The Old World and the New, ed. L. H. M. Soulsby, p. 12

“weary and heavy laden” is a reference to Matthew 11:28

For All in Affliction or Sorrow

God of all comfort,
we commend to your mercy
all those who bear any cross or trouble:
the nations who are afflicted with famine, pestilence, or war,
our fellow Christians who suffer persecution for the sake of the Gospel,
all who travel and are in danger by sea or land or air,
and all who are oppressed with poverty, sickness,
or any infirmity of body or sorrow of mind.
We pray particularly for the sick and afflicted members of this church,
and for those who desire to be remembered in our prayers,
and for those we name in our hearts before you.
May it please you to show them your fatherly kindness,
disciplining them for their good
that their hearts may turn to you
and receive complete comfort and deliverance
from all their troubles;
for Christ’s sake.
Amen.

Source: Freely modified from Book of Common Worship (Presbyterian), 1906

As a paragraph:

God of all comfort, we commend to your mercy all those who bear any cross or trouble: the nations who are afflicted with famine, pestilence, or war, our fellow Christians who suffer persecution for the sake of the Gospel, all who travel and are in danger by sea or land or air, and all who are oppressed with poverty, sickness, or any infirmity of body or sorrow of mind. We pray particularly for the sick and afflicted members of this church, and for those who desire to be remembered in our prayers, and for those we name in our hearts before you. May it please you to show them your fatherly kindness, disciplining them for their good that their hearts may turn to you and receive complete comfort and deliverance from all their troubles; for Christ’s sake. Amen.

When Someone Dies in the Lord

Prayer Book Bible Reading Book Of Common Prayer

Almighty God,
the spirits of those who die in the Lord live with you,
and the souls of the faithful,
after they are delivered from the burden of the flesh,
are in joy and bliss in your presence.
We give you humble thanks
that it has pleased you to deliver this our brother
out of the miseries of this sinful world.
We pray, in your goodness
fill up the number of your chosen ones and hasten your kingdom,
that with all those who have departed in the true faith of your holy name
we also may have our perfect fulfillment and bliss,
both in body and soul,
in your eternal glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Freely modified from The Book of Common Prayer (1662), Burial of the Dead

prayer for the dead in middle ages

prayers for the dead