Philip Doddridge: Piercing Heaven – Puritan’s Prayers

I turn to you in my doubt and uncertainty, Lord. I know that you live forever. You are the one who determines life and death. You bring us down to the grave, and only you can say, “Return!”

So if there is still room for prayer, please hear mine on your servant’s behalf: Would you spare him yet a while, that he might recover strength once more?

But if he is out of reach of this prayer, help us to accept your wise will.

We adore your name, and your praise mingles with our tears. And though we mourn the loss of our loved one, even so we rejoice to think that we do not mourn like those who have no hope.

Because to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Amen.