Praying for the dead

[tonychanyt]

Some religions and denominations practice praying for the dead:

Prayer for the dead is well documented within early Christianity, both among prominent Church Fathers and the Christian community in general. In Eastern Orthodoxy, Christians pray for "such souls as have departed with faith, but without having had time to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance".[13] In the Catholic Church the assistance that the dead receive by prayer on their behalf is linked with the process of purification known as purgatory.[14][15] While prayer for the dead continues in both these traditions and in those of Oriental Orthodoxy and of the Assyrian Church of the East, many Protestant groups reject the practice.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a number of sacred ordinances and rituals that are performed for the dead. Among these are baptism for the dead and the sealing of the dead to families.

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, stated that: "I believe it to be a duty to observe, to pray for the Faithful Departed".

Some don't:

Reformed churches are often opposed to prayer for the dead, because it is seen as useless.

Prayer for the dead is not practiced by members of Baptist and nondenominational Christian churches.[25] For example, members of the Baptist churches hold that "dead men receive no benefit from the prayers, sacrifices, &c. of the living."

This life is a testing place for everyone. Hebrews 9:

27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.

I don't think prayers for the dead, would affect the dead in any way. I wouldn't spend any time on it.

 

[okay]

In the Episcopal church we pray for the dead. Here is how it is briefly discussed in the Book of Common Prayer

Q.​	Why do we pray for the dead?
A.​	We pray for them, because we still hold them in our love, and because we trust that in God's presence those who have chosen to serve him will grow in his love, until they see him as he is.

 

[tonychanyt]

In the Episcopal church we pray for the dead. Here is how it is briefly discussed in the Book of Common Prayer

Q.​	Why do we pray for the dead?
A.​	We pray for them, because we still hold them in our love, and because we trust that in God's presence those who have chosen to serve him will grow in his love, until they see him as he is.

Thanks for sharing.

Can you give an actual example of a prayer for the dead from the Episcopal church?

 

[okay]

Thanks for sharing.

Can you give an actual example of a prayer for the dead from the Episcopal church?

It shows up as one of the items in the 'Prayers of the People' portion of the liturgy. Here is an example from the Book of Common Prayer:

We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will
for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share
with all your saints in your eternal kingdom.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

 

[tonychanyt]

It shows up as one of the items in the 'Prayers of the People' portion of the liturgy. Here is an example from the Book of Common Prayer:

We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will
for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share
with all your saints in your eternal kingdom.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Good one. Thanks.

Give me another example.

 

[okay]

Good one. Thanks.

Give me another example.

Sure, there are a handful of forms for Prayers of the People. Here are a few more from the BCP


For all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, and for
all the departed, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

--

I ask your prayers for the departed [especially ].
Pray for those who have died.

--

Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.

We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

--

For all who have died in the communion of your Church, and
those whose faith is known to you alone, that, with all the
saints, they may have rest in that place where there is no pain
or grief, but life eternal, we pray to you, O Lord.

--

We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in
your eternal kingdom.

Silence

The People may add their own petitions

Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;
Who put their trust in you.

 

[tonychanyt]

Sure, there are a handful of forms for Prayers of the People. Here are a few more from the BCP


For all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, and for
all the departed, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

--

I ask your prayers for the departed [especially ].
Pray for those who have died.

--

Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.

We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

--

For all who have died in the communion of your Church, and
those whose faith is known to you alone, that, with all the
saints, they may have rest in that place where there is no pain
or grief, but life eternal, we pray to you, O Lord.

--

We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in
your eternal kingdom.

Silence

The People may add their own petitions

Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;
Who put their trust in you.

These are fine, but do you pray for those who are dead and not in you church communion? Do you pray for dead non-Christians?

 

[okay]

I have. Am I 100% certain it 'helps'? Nope. But I am not 100% certain of anything if I am being honest.

In any case I just cannot see how praying for the dead does any harm, and it might do some good.

 

[tonychanyt]

I have. Am I 100% certain it 'helps'? Nope. But I am not 100% certain of anything if I am being honest.

In any case I just cannot see how praying for the dead does any harm, and it might do some good.

That's reasonable. However, I am lazy. I will not spend much time praying for something with little efficacy. It is a matter of priority and impatience

 

[RileyG]

Yup. I pray for the dead everyday.

Most common for the dead prayer:

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. May their soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.