Prayer For A Suicide Victim
Father God,
The darkness has taken hold me and I can't find my way back to the light. In this moment, ending it all seems like the best option, the only option, the only way to escape. Yet, there is something in me that wants your light to snuff out the darkness. So I ask, Lord, that you would do just that. You are the only light that can shine in the darkness.
I know when I'm consumed with thoughts of death I'm believing lies from the enemy. I ask Lord that you would remind me of these truths: when I feel alone, you are with me; when I feel invisible, you see me; when I feel worthless, my value is knowing you and being known by you.
Lord, help me to understand that you are enough, because you are everything I need and more. Remind me that when I feel hopeless, you have hope in me and for me. Remind me that when I don't have the words to cry out to you, your son Jesus is praying for me, and your Spirit intercedes for me with groanings too deep for words. Let this remind me that I am seen, heard and deeply loved.
I often feel out of place in this world. I don't fit in and I'm not sure I want to. Remind me that this world is not my home and while, as your child, I will never fit in here, my time here isn't over. Not yet. Please, give me the desire to live.
When I feel like I don't matter, remind me that I was created with purpose. When I don't know or understand why I feel the way I feel - remind me that you know the depth of pain in my heart, in my body and in my being. You know me better than I know myself and yet you still love me.
When I feel like my death would go unnoticed because my life seems to go by uncelebrated, remind me that you celebrate me and that you hurt for me when I'm in this dark place. Remind me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and I am worth more than I know. Remind me that this life is not mine to take. Remind me that suicide is not the only option. Remind me to love you and to love myself.
As I say these words I know in my heart that you love me and I feel incredible guilt for wanting to take the life you gave me. I feel embarrassed to admit these thoughts to you. I feel overwhelmed that you know these thoughts without my even saying them, and yet you still love me. Remind me that Jesus did not come to earth and die for me so that I could live a defeated life. Help me to desire life and to live fully in you.
In Jesus precious name, Amen.
Dear Lord,
Please help me in this time of loss and overwhelming grief. I don't understand why my life is filled with this pain and heartache. But I turn my eyes to you as I seek to find the strength to trust in your faithfulness. I will wait on you and not despair;
I will quietly wait for your salvation. My heart is crushed, but I know that you will not abandon me forever. Please show me your compassion, Lord. Help me through the pain so that I will hope in you again. I believe this
promise in your Word to send me fresh mercy each day. Though I can't see past today, I trust your great love will never fail me.
Amen.
God our strength and our redeemer:
you do not leave us in this life
nor abandon us in death.
Hear our prayer for those in despair,
when days are full of darkness
and the future empty of hope.
Renew in them your sustaining strength
for we believe that there is nothing in all creation
that can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.
God, lover of souls,
You hold dear what You have made and spare all things,
for they are Yours.
Look gently upon Your servant (Name),
and by the Blood of the cross
forgive his/her sins and failings.
Remember the faith of those who mourn
and satisfy their longing for that day
when all will be made new again in Christ,
our risen Lord,
who lives and reigns with You forever and ever.
Amen.
Dearest Lord,
We entrust (name) to your undying mercy and love.
While in this life, they felt much pain and found life difficult.
May you enfold them now with your love where no pain can find them, but rather your love can heal them.
Make them Guardian Angels for those who struggle with life, for those who struggle to see you and the love that is around them.
Give them Lord, kind admittance to your Kingdom and bring comfort to their families.
We ask this, as we ask all things, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our hearts are broken.
_____ took his/her own life.
And even though it might appear
that s/he died by his/her own hand,
no one does this without great, coercing pain,
inner suffering that seems to have no end,
even though we wish
s/he knew that no agony is forever.
Source of compassion, help us to cry out loud,
to hold each other gently,
to live with unanswerable questions,
normal feelings of anger and guilt,
and this gaping hole of loss.
Help us to reach out to others who are suffering,
to show them our love, to say the kind word,
and that this is not a choice we condone
or is worth imitation.
It is hard to see the divine image in the lives of those who suffer.
The sun sets and rises.
We put one foot in front of the other.
We hold our hearts in our hands.
We lift them up to You, God of eternal peace,
and to each other.
Help us live each day.
Amen.
Bless, O God of eternal life,
all who have died
by their own hand.
Grant them peace
from their inner turmoil
and the compassion of your love.
Comfort those who mourn
their loved ones.
Strengthen them to face the questions of pain,
the guilt and anger,
the irreparable loss.
Help us to reach out in love
to others who prefer death
to the choices of life
and to their families who grieve.
Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ we ask that you help everyone who is suicidal.
Guide them so they may receive the help that they need.
Protect them.
Prevent them from dying by suicide.
We need them. We love them.
Let them feel our love, and your love, Lord Jesus.
Lord, we ask that you comfort the suicide survivors.
Remind them that they are very special people.
Remind them that they are heroes.
Fill their minds with beautiful memories of their suicide angels.
Provide them with everything that they need Lord.
Ease their pain.
Give them hope.
Give them comfort.
Give them guidance.
Help them heal.
And help them in every way possible.
Let them feel our love, and your love, Lord Jesus.
And let their suicide angels carry them on their wings when they are weary.
Lord, we pray for the suicide angels.
They are with you now, Lord, in Paradise.
These angels are among the highest angels in Heaven.
Their wings are magnificent and their beauty is beyond imagination.
Their love shines bright.
Embrace them, Lord Jesus, with your love.
And let their love continue to shine down upon us.
Amen.