My family now has three cousins in hospice care, at various stages of disease. Thank you to all the professionals and volunteers who make hospice work. This prayer is to be said by someone entering hospice. A second version of this prayer – one to be said on behalf of an individual who enters hospice treatment – follows below. Also find links to healing prayers and meditations on dying at the end of this post.
Upon Entering Hospice
(To be recited by a person entering hospice care.)
G-d of All Being,
The well of cures has run dry.
My physicians have been focused,
My caregivers diligent,
My family tireless
In their efforts to help me battle this disease.
The horizon of my life nears.
There is a single destination.
Ancient One,
G-d of our mothers,
G-d of our fathers,
I surrender my days to You,
As I must,
With the hopes of a dignified death,
A loving death
An easy death.
I make this choice for my own sake,
For the sake of my family and friends,
And for the sake of honoring the life You have given me.
Bless those around me with courage and strength,
Just as I ask You, Holy One,
To grant me the wisdom and ability
To show them my steadfast love,
An inheritance for the generations.
Whatever remains,
The journey hasn’t ended.
Ease my pain.
Reduce my suffering.
And bless me, G-d of my heart,
With days of joy,
With fullness of spirit
With moments of awe and wonder.
Upon Entering Hospice II
(To be recited on behalf of a person entering hospice care.)
G-d of All Being,
The well of cures has run dry.
The physicians have been focused,
The caregivers diligent,
The family tireless
In their efforts to help
My [father / mother / sister / brother / son / daughter / friend /husband / wife / partner]
Battle this disease.
The horizon of his/her life nears.
There is a single destination.
Ancient One,
G-d of our mothers,
G-d of our fathers,
Look with kindness and favor on _________________________ (insert name)
As he/she surrenders his/her days to You.
Bless us with courage and strength,
Just as I ask You, Holy One,
To grant me the wisdom and ability
To show him/her my steadfast love,
An inheritance for the generations.
Whatever remains,
The journey hasn’t ended.
Ease his/her pain.
Reduce his/her suffering.
And bless him/her with a dignified death,
A loving death
An easy death.
© 2011 Alden Solovy and tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.
Postscript: Here are three meditations on the end of life:
- Near the End: A Meditation – A meditation on preparing for the journey of my own death with grace and dignity, awe and wonder.
- Remember – Whatever our fears, this is a call back to our deepest sense of peace and well-being.
- Things Break – We face the flow of endings and beginnings. G-d’s love remains.
Click this link for a list of healing prayers.
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Photo Source: Here Women Talk
In recent weeks, several individuals have asked for prayers for the experience dying. This is one of two new prayers in response to those requests. It’s really a love song, which is what I hope to remember in the end: the beautiful, perhaps fleeting love that sustains and blesses.
