Powerful Prayers for the Dead & Deceased Soul

One of the most trying things a person may go through in life is losing a loved one. Yet, praying for the deceased can both make you feel more at peace with this loss and draw you closer to God.

We have included a number of moving bible verses and prayer requests for the dead that you can recite aloud or in private while you grieve for the loss of your loved ones.

We hope that these prayers for the deceased will bring you some solace in your sadness and give you the assurance that the Lord will hear your prayers at all times.

How to Pray for the Dead

Christianity has a long history of praying for the dead, which can help those who are mourning as well as honor and remember the deceased.

Prayer for the deceased can also be a method to demonstrate your belief that they are now at peace and with loved ones who died before them.

There are many various approaches to this kind of prayer, whether you are praying for a close friend or for someone you have never met.

Prayers for the Dead & Deceased Soul

Prayer for Souls To Have Eternal Rest

Dear God, In remembrance of our deceased brother or sister who lived their life in accordance with your wishes, we honor your name. We ask that they may find peace and be given the eternal life that your Son provided while he was crucified. As they wait for gladness, let your angels comfort their stony hearts. Let the soul of one who is currently suffering from (name of a brother or sister who has died). Amen.

Prayer For The Dead And Their Violent Death

Dear God, On behalf of families who have lost other members to needless, violent deaths, I give you these prayers for the deceased. Let eternal light shine on your promise as Christ, our Lord and Savior, as they mourn their loss. Let your Holy Spirit visit the families to give them the consolation and peace they require at this difficult time in their lives. Assure them that you, the All-Mighty God, were present in their hearts’ most innermost regions. You hold the mercy of God for those who have been the targets of brutal murders. Peace be with you. Amen.

Prayer For Souls In Purgatory

Oh my Gosh! Let the devoted departed’s spirits be bathed in light forever. O Lord God, grant them respite from all their labors forever. So that they can rest in peace like all the saints in heaven, cover them with your glory. Lord, while your omnipotent providence directs us on the road ahead of our individual lives, have mercy on all the devoted servants of your name. In the stead of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we pray for these things. Amen.

Prayer For The Dead And Their Unexpected Death

Dear Jesus, When we mourn the loss of our comrade, we come before you, O Lord. We are speechless since our lover was abruptly and unexpectedly snatched from us. We ask that through the wonderful life He has offered and gladly given to the ministry in order to highlight the good actions You have done for our world, our brother or sister may find peace and refuge in your arms, Christ our Lord. The soul of (name of dead) who passed away suddenly deserves to have eternal peace, so O Lord, throw out the evil inside us and be the genuine shepherd for his soul. Amen.

Prayer For Loved Ones Who Were Left Behind

Supreme God, Continue to lead those who are left behind—all the faithful and the believers—as our loved ones meet you and rest in peace in your Holy Spirit as one family. At a time of grief, give us a sense of comfort, calm, and acceptance. O Lord God, ease our suffering in these frail bodies. As we continue to live in your likeness and image until your return, may all your saints lead us. I present to you this prayer of the dead, O Lord. Amen.

Short Prayer for Guidance After Death Of A Loved One

Please, Lord, I beseech you in my prayers, O Lord and Savior, to take away all the sorrow and weight from my feeble heart. Please let me experience your love and presence. Be my support system while I collect the courage to accept the reality of my loss. Make my pains an impetus for me to seek your kingdom while I am still on earth. Lord, lead me. Amen.

Prayer for the Dead

We humbly commit our family members to your care, O Lord. You protected them from all harm throughout this life with your caring affection; now grant them everlasting rest. Welcome them to paradise, where there will be no sadness, no crying, or grief, but only complete peace and pleasure with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. The old order is gone. Amen

Prayer for a Departed Loved One

Into your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our (brother-sister: Name). In this life, you embrace (him/her) with your tender love; deliver (him/her) now from every evil and bid (him/her) enter eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome (him/her) then into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping nor pain, but the fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Orthodox Prayer for the Deceased

O God of spirits and of all flesh, You trampled upon death and abolished the power of the devil, giving life to Your world. Give rest to the souls of Your departed servants in a place of light, in a place of green pasture, in a place of refreshment, from where pain, sorrow, and sighing have fled away. As a good and loving God, forgive every sin they have committed in word, deed, or thought, for there is no one who lives and does not sin. You alone are without sin. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your word is truth.

For You are the resurrection, the life, and the repose of Your departed servants, Christ our God, and to You we offer glory, with Your eternal Father who is without beginning and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer of Commendation for the Dying

Go forth, Christian soul, from this world in the name of God the almighty Father, who created you,
in the name of Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who suffered for you, in the name of the Holy Spirit, who was poured out upon you, go forth, faithful Christian.

May you live in peace this day, may your home be with God in Zion, with Mary, the virgin Mother of God, with Joseph, and all the angels and saints.”

Prayers of the Faithful for the Departed

At the funeral, in Church, the assembly recites a common prayer, known as the prayer of the faithful for a funeral. This prayer includes a few intentions, mainly about the deceased and their close ones, but also about more general topics (the family of the departed, the sick, the elderly, people who are suffering, the Church, etc.). These prayers are composed by the family, with the help of parishioners from a pastoral accompaniment program for the bereaved, or a priest.