Praying for the Dead

I grew up Southern Baptist where we didn’t typically pray for the dead. We prayed for the sick and we would pray for the people left behind after death, but prayers for the dead just didn’t happen. It was as if they had played the cosmic game of Pac-Man and once they got eaten by the ghosts, it was game over. Sorry, buddy – no use in praying now. I always had a bit of a problem with that, but could never quite place my finger on why. It wasn’t until I became an Episcopalian that I not only finally understood the why, I was able to do something about it.

The link below gives the best example for why we pray for the dead:

Why Pray for the Dead?

We continue to pray for them and we pray with them. And while there’s not really anything biblical about asking them to pray for us, we can take comfort that we’re still doing something for them.

Hear us, O merciful Father,
as we remember in love Bryan Lawton
whom we have placed in your hands.
Acknowledge, we pray, a sheep of your own fold,
a lamb of your own flock,
a sinner of your own redeeming.
Enfold him in the arms of your mercy,
in the blessed rest of everlasting peace,
and in the glorious company of the saints in light.
Amen.