The Daily Prayer: Psalm 116

The Morning Devotional: Psalm 116

Prayer: Our God in heaven, you have appointed the day of our death, and there is nothing we can do to stop it. You have determined the very minute we will pass from this life into that which awaits us as your redeemed people. Although we know it is appointed unto us once to die and, after that, the judgment, we know that we do not have to fear because you have rescued us from this last enemy and, therefore, it has no power over us. For we, as your people, are not only kept by your love and care in this life; you will, after we die, keep our bodies united to the Savior until he comes again to gather his people to himself. Therefore, Father, we can come to you today and declare our love for you. We can plead with you for our very existence, knowing that it is you who guides us and leads us. Whatever comes to us, we are confident that you will remember us and, in faithfulness, deliver us either in this life or that which is to come. You are gracious, and you preserve us. You deliver us from the pains of death and the fearful thought of the grave. Indeed, you go so far as to tell us that it is precious in your eyes when your people die. Therefore, we can praise you and thank you. We can trust you in life and death. We can place our entire being in your hands, knowing that you will never let us go. We praise you, our God, for this comfort given in your Word. 

Yet, Father, we are sinners, and the wages of sin are death. Yet, in Christ, we do not fear. He has conquered the grave, and we trust him. He subjected himself to the power of death, but saw no corruption. He entrusted himself to you for our sake, and you raised him as you will raise us. We love you, our Lord. We place our lives in your hands for the sake of your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, in whose Name we pray. Amen.

Scripture Meditation: Psalm 116