we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
God of forgiveness and love,
even when our faith is shaken,
your faithfulness is sure.
Give light to our footsteps,
heal our wounds,
and lead us to your truth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
If only, Lord God,
if only we had taken time,
if only we had said more,
if only we had said less.
We confess to you our regrets,
we acknowledge what is past.
In this moment give us grace to receive
and to offer forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
[Tribute]
When a tribute is to be offered, it may be given here. The proclamation of the Christian hope then takes its rightful place at the heart of the rite in the reading of Scripture and a sermon.
Bible Readings
Suggested passages are listed in Appendix 1 (see pages 28–41).
After the reading of Scripture the following words may be used.
Your word is a lamp to our feet:
A light to our path.
Sermon
Prayers
The litany below is normally said. Additional or alternative prayers are to be found in Appendix 2 (see pages 42–48).
LITANY
Let us pray to the Lord our God
making known our heart’s desire for N.
God of our journey,
you have called us to follow in the way of Christ,
even to death.
By the victory of the cross
lead N through death to resurrection
where Christ has gone before.
Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
Righteous God,
you call us to judgement –
the living and the dead,
to the place where right and truth prevail.
Examine us with love,
and show N your mercy,
for without it none of us may stand.
Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
Saving God,
you have promised your salvation
to all who trust in you.
Bring N with all your saints
to your eternal presence.
Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
Ever-living God,
you have promised new life
to all who are found in Christ.
Clothe N with the life of your Son,
whom not even death could hold.
Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
Eternal God,
all our days depend on you,
for you are the giver of all good gifts.
Grant N
the life of your eternal joy and peace.
Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
The following may be said after the litany or any other prayers.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Eternal God,
we pray for ourselves as we pray for N.
We stand where earth and heaven meet,
where life is brought to death,
and death is made the gate to glory.
Deliver us from fear and doubt,
from despair and unbelief,
and bring us to the light of your presence.
Grant us that peace which the world cannot give,
so that we with N may trust in you
and find our life in you.
We make our prayer through Jesus Christ,
our Saviour in life and death,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin
