Grace--when only grace will do

I remember the drive up to Santa Ana like it was yesterday, going to visit a friend’s mother who was about to lose her battle with cancer. I
wound my way through an old neighborhood, checked to make sure the
house number was correct, and walked up to ring the doorbell. A rose lover myself, I couldn’t help but notice several beautiful garden roses she had on her front walkway.

When I entered the family room, I wondered if there had been some misunderstanding, taking a look at the little shriveled man with
thinning hair and whiskers. Momentarily, I realized I was
looking at the once beautiful, elegant, petite Patricia, whose body had
been ravaged by the dreaded disease. I had been asked to
pray with her, and if possible, ascertain her relationship with God . . .
her daughter desperately wanted to know her mom knew God. We talked about her roses, which were her favorites, and why, and then I told her mine. Eventually, I asked her if I could pray for her. She said, ‘oh yes, Dear, please.’

In “Grace, freely given,” I made reference to a friend who went to extend God’s grace to a dying woman this last weekend. Others have asked, ‘What can I say? What comfort can I bring?’ I made the following notes by way of explanation. The notes are one way, though they do not purport to be the only way or the right way to extend grace and peace to the dying.

Read Psalm 23. (whether or not person is awake—God’s Word is powerful …for the individual, for anyone else present; however, if she is awake, ask for her permission to
share the passage)

Psalm 23 A psalm of David. New Living Translation

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.

He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Prayer for the individual. (whether or not coherent—if coherent, ask “May I pray for you?”)

Dear Lord,

We ask for your guidance and peace right now. Please come and comfort us, we pray. Come and do what only you can do. Guide us, we pray, and grant us your mercy and grace. Amen.

A question: Just say you were to take your last breath tonight, do you know where you will wake up?

(usual reply) I’m not sure, but I’ve been a good person, so I hope I’ll be in Heaven.

Would you like to know for sure? You can, you know...

Jesus said, to those who receive him, they can become his children. We do not become children of God by being born, but by choosing to put our trust in him. It is what Jesus did for us on the cross that allows our entrance into Heaven—nothing else. It is a simple prayer.

(even if unable to reply) lead the individual in the prayer of salvation:

Dear God, I recognize my need for you in my life. Thank you that you gave the greatest thing you could give for me—your son, to die on the cross, so that our sins could be forgiven, so that we might
have eternal life with you, rather than eternal separation. Please come into my life; I need you now. Amen.

John14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

In times of greatest distress and grief, only the grace of God will do . . . when we are unsure of what to say or how to say it, God's Word speaks eloquently, and praying to him brings comfort and peace.

It is my humble prayer that these thoughts might give you the assurance that you too can comfort others – at times when only grace will do.

Christine