Remembering Those Who Have Gone Before

Cloud Shielding The Sun
Cloud Shielding the Sun, by Lynn Greyling

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left to the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (WEB).

Dear Father, we remember our bothers and sisters who have gone on before us. We thank you for giving them to us, to know and to love as companions on our earthly pilgrimage. In Your great love and compassion, console us who mourn for these. Give us faith to see in death the gateway to eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our own course on this earth, until, by Your call, we are reunited with them; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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