Prayers . . . on endings

 

PRAYER WHEN A TEEN DIES

 

God, everything in me screams, "Not a teenager!"  Death is for the old, not for vibrant young people who have barely tasted life.  I loved this young woman.  Her death leaves a tremendous, aching hole in my heart.  Every day I turn around expecting to see her, but she's not there.  My heart breaks when I think of all the times we'll never share; all the dreams she'll never fulfill.

 

Lord, the Bible says you number our days.  In my grief, help me come to grips with the false expectation that we will all live to old age.  Help me remember this young woman's life was not cut off too soon; she was not cheated of a full life.  She lived the length of time you determined for her before she was born.  She fulfilled your purpose for her here on earth.

 

On the days when I'm angry at you for taking her, remind me that you know the pain of losing a daughter to an early death.  But your Son did fulfill your glorious purpose for her.  In your mercy, show me something of your purpose for this young woman's life.

 

Help me draw comfort from your Word and from the fact that because your Son conquered death, this painful separation is temporary; not permanent.  Direct me to look beyond this life and my loss.  Thank you for the assurance that her life with you in heaven is so fantastic that she really wouldn't want to be back here on earth.  In the name of your risen Son.

 

 

Amen

 

"Your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be."

 

Psalm 139:16

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date this page was last edited:  July 24, 2004