PRAYERS AND POEMS Below is a collection of the most popular prayers and poems, however if you cannot find the prayer you are looking for, you can email the preferred prayer to us at [email protected]. P01 - Another Leaf Has Fallen P05 - There is a Season for Everything Another leaf has fallen, There is a season for everything, a time for another soul has gone. every occupation under heaven. A time for But still we have God’s promises, giving birth, A time for dying, A time for in every robin’s song. planting, A time for uprooting what has For he is in His heaven, been planted. A time for killing, A time and though He takes away, for healing; A time for knocking down, He always leaves to mortals, A time for building. A time for tears, A the bright sun’s kindly ray. time for laughter; A time for mourning, He leaves the fragrant blossoms, A time for dancing. A time for throwing and lovely forest, green. stones away, A time for gathering them up; And gives us new found comfort, A time for embracing, A time to refrain when we on Him will lean. from embracing. A time for searching, A time for losing; A time for keeping, P02 - Twenty-Third Psalm A time for throwing away. A time for The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. tearing, A time for sewing; A time for He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; keeping silent, A time for speaking. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He A time for loving, A time for hating; restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the A time for war, A time for peace. paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for P06 - Prayer of Solace Thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they May Christ support comfort me. Thou preparest a table before us all the day long, me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou till the shadows lengthen, anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth and the evening comes, over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow and the busy world is hushed, me all the days of my life: and I shall dwell and the fever of life is over in the house of the Lord forever. and our work is done. Then in His mercy may P03 - The Blow was Great, the Shock Severe He give us a safe lodging, The blow was great, the shock severe, and holy rest and We little thought the end was near. peace at the last. And only those who have lost can tell Amen. The pain of parting without farewell. It broke our hearts to lose you, P07 - Serenity Prayer But you did not go alone. God grant me the Serenity A part of us went with you, to accept the things I cannot change, The day God called you home. Courage to change the things I can, Nothing can ever take away, and Wisdom to know the difference. The love a heart holds dear. Fond memories linger every day, P08 - When I Must Leave You Remembrance keeps him[her] near. When I must leave you for a little while please do not grieve and shed wild tears and P04 - The Blessing of St. Francis of Assisi hug your sorrow to you through the years The Lord bless you but start out bravely with a gallant smile; and and keep you. for my sake and in my name live on and do May He show His face all things the same, feed not your loneliness to you and have mercy. on empty days, but fill each waking hour in May He turn His countenance useful ways, reach out your hand in comfort to you and give you peace. and in cheer and I in turn will comfort you The Lord bless you! and hold you near; and never, never be afraid to die, for I am waiting for you in the sky! 125 PRAYERS AND POEMS P09 - Safely Home P13 - The Lord’s Prayer I am home in heaven, dear ones; Our Father, oh, so happy and so bright! who art in heaven, There is a perfect joy and hallowed be thy name. beauty in the everlasting light. Thy kingdom come, All the pain and grief is over, thy will be done on earth every restless tossing passed; as it is in heaven. I am now at peace forever, Give us this day our daily bread. safely home in heaven at last. And forgive us our trespasses, There is work still waiting for you, as we forgive those who so you must not idly stand, trespass against us. do it now, while life remaineth– And lead us not into temptation, you shall rest in God’s own land. but deliver us from evil. When that work is all completed, For thine is the kingdom, He will gently call you home; and the power, oh, the rapture of that meeting and the glory, forever. oh, the joy to see you come! Amen. P10 - A Place Where Children Are P14 - Hail Mary What kind of place would heaven be with all Hail Mary, full of grace, its streets of gold, if all the souls, that dwell up the Lord is with thee, there like yours and mine, were old? How strange blessed art thou among women, would heaven’s music sound when harps begin and blessed is the fruit to ring, if children were not gathered ‘round to of thy womb, Jesus. help the angels sing. The children that God Holy Mary, Mother of God, sends to us are only just a loan, He knows we pray for us sinners, need their sunshine to make the house a home. now and at the We need the inspiration of a baby’s blessed smile. hour of our death. He doesn’t say they’ve come to stay, just lends Amen. them for a while. Sometimes it takes them years to do the work for which they come. Sometimes P15 - Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi in just a month or two our Father calls them Lord, make me an home. I like to think some souls up there bear instrument of Your peace; not one sinful scar. I love to think of heaven where there is hatred, let me sow love; as a place where children are. where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; P11 - Going To Heaven where there is despair, hope; When I am gone, release me, let me go where there is darkness, light; I have so many things to see and do. and where there is sadness, joy. You mustn’t tie yourselves to me with tears, O Divine Master, grant that just be happy that we had some years. I gave you I may not so much seek my love, you can only guess how much you to be consoled as to console; gave to me in happiness. I thank you for the to be understood as to understand; love you each have shown, but now it’s time to be loved, as to love; I traveled on alone. Do grieve a while for me for it is in giving that we receive; if you must then let your grief be comforted it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; by trust. It’s only for a while that we must and it is in dying that part, so keep our memories within your we are born to eternal life. hearts. I won’t be far away, for life goes on, so if you need me call and I will come. P16 - Guardian Angel Though you can’t see or touch me I’ll be Guardian Angel from near, and if you listen with your heart you heaven so bright, will hear, all of my love around so soft and watching beside me dear. And then when you must come this to lead me aright, way alone, I’ll greet you with a smile fold thy wings round me, and say, “welcome home.” and guard me with love, softly sing songs to me P12 - Child’s Prayer of heaven above. Now I lay me down to sleep; Amen. I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray thee, Lord, my soul to take. 126 PRAYERS AND POEMS P17 - Afterglow P21 - Golfer’s Serenity Prayer I’d like the memory of me God grant me the serenity to be a happy one, to accept the shots I miss, I’d like to leave an afterglow the courage to try, try again, of smiles when life is done. and the wisdom not to I’d like to leave an echo throw my clubs in the lake. whispering softly down the ways, of happy times and laughing times P22 - God Needed an Angel in Heaven and bright and sunny days. God needed an angel in heaven I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to stand at the Savior’s feet; to dry before the sun of happy memories His choice must be the rarest that I leave behind when day is done. a lily pure and sweet. Helen Lowrie Marshall He gazed upon the mighty throng then stopped and picked the best, P18 - A Little Step Away our child was His chosen one To close the eye, to fall asleep, with Jesus she’s[he’s] now at rest.