for guidance in a time of dying

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38 (NLT)

If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14:8 (NLT)

Great Jehovah, I come to you on behalf of Greg's friend John, who is dying. We give you John's life, and his death. Do not let him be disgraced, nor let his enemies rejoice. He trusts in you to show him the right path, to point out the road for him to follow. Lead him by your truth and teach him, for you are the God who saves. All his life he has put his hope in you. Remember John and his family in the light of your unfailing love, merciful Father. Amen.

on my son's first day of public school

So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, mature in their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me. Colossians 1:28-29 (NLT)

How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. Psalm 119:9 (NLT)

Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. 2 Timothy 2:22 (NLT)

I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Romans 16:19-20 (NLT)

Today I fought the traffic (why did everyone seem so angry and in such a terrible rush?) in order to take my oldest child to a public school for the first time. He referred to it as "normal" school; I joked that it was "Muggle" school. For me, normal has been the last twelve years of teaching him about you, about the world, about his place in your order. His father and I have been teaching and warning with all the wisdom you have given us. I haven't always felt adequate to the task, but I've relied (sometimes not so willingly) on your power. Now I struggle with handing over some of the responsibility for my son's education to a group of public school teachers. My first prayer is that these teachers might depend on you. God, be in that school, and with my son.

Help my son to love holiness. It sounds a little crazy when I say that – a twelve year old, loving holiness?? – but it's what I most deeply want for him. Help him to find companions of pure heart. Make him wise in doing good, and innocent of any wrong. Crush the forces that would oppose you under your feet, and cover us all with your grace.

for Edrica and Barry, who are sick

He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Psalm 107:20 (New International Version)

It stands to reason, doesn't it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he'll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself? When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's! Romans 8:10-11 (The Message)

Healer of Galilee, you are our our Light and Salvation, the stronghold of our lives. You give your angels charge over us to accompany and defend and preserve us. I come to you on behalf of Edrica and Barry, and for them I ask for your deep and powerful healing. Their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and I know you desire life abundant and whole, for both of them.

Both Edrica and Barry have spent a lot of time in the hospital lately. And Edrica is so young to be so weighed down by the infirmities of the body. Help her to not allow troubled thoughts to envelop her life in darkness, fear, or anger.

Mighty God, may both these children of yours have the same attitude and purpose that was in Christ, never letting the strain and difficulty of enduring such a trial destroy or damage their faith in you. Bend the skills of those in whose care they rest toward you, and use each life-giver -- each nurse, doctor, and friend -- for your ultimate purpose. Use us to help a hurting people know your abiding presence guiding and supporting their speech, their actions, their decision-making, and their love.