This weekend I was asked to pray during the funeral of Emily’s grandmother, Mildred Kreider. Grammy and Gappy (Stanley) were married for 67 years and as their family, church family, and community gathered last night to remember her life they saw she had touched so many. Thank you to the many that have been praying for us and for Emily’s family during this time of grieving. We continue to covet your prayers. Here is the prayer that I prayed during the service:

Gracious Heavenly Father, we come here today with hearts of both saddens and joy.

We thank you for the life of your servant, Millie Kreider.

We thank you for the time you gave us with her.

We thank you for all of the blessed time that we had with her.

We thank you for all of the good memories and stories that we have.

We thank you for her faithfulness and her service to us all.

As we have committed her soul to You and laid her body loving in the earth, we thank you for her life.

We pray also, however, acknowledging our grief and sadness.

Lord, in this time of loss help us to keep the faith.

Draw to our minds blessed memories of the past.

Even in the watches of the night guard our hearts and minds from despair and bring to our minds those sweet times of fellowship.

We pray especially for Stanley, her husband of 67 years, and for the rest of the family. May your Spirit comfort and keep us during this time where our loss is felt so deeply.

Help us to rest in your hope, o, Lord.

Remind us of the promises of Christ, who is the Resurrection and the Life.

Remind us, through our tears, that we will see our departed family members and be one with them and You in your kingdom eternally.

Remind us, loving Father, that You place all our tears in a bottle and remember our trials.

Help us, finally, O Christ, to love and comfort one another.

May we enfold each other in charity even as we grieve.

May we encourage one another.

May we be Christ to each other listening, hearing, praying for, and supporting those in need.

We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, the first born of the resurrection. Amen.