Many of our children who have died are with God. They do not need our prayers. It is their parents and families who need our prayers. There is nothing as tragic, or as traumatic as the death of a child.
This week here at Pray for Children we offer our prayers for those who are struggling with their grief. We pray that the Lord may console them, and inspire others to help where necessary.
Prayer for the Bereaved
Father,
God of all consolation,
in your unending love and mercy for us
you turn the darkness of death
into the dawn of new life.
Show compassion to your people in their sorrow.
Be our refuge and our strength
to lift us from the darkness of this grief
to the peace and light of your presence.
Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
by dying for us, conquered death
and by rising again, restored life.
May we then go forward eagerly to meet him,
and after our life on earth
be reunited with our loved ones
where every tear will be wiped away.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Organisations which offer help on the death of a child.
www.isida.ie
I.S.I.D.A. offers support to families bereaved by the sudden unexpected and often unexplained death of an infant or young child and to others affected by it. The Association offers information on Sudden Infant Death to families, professionals, the media and the public, and promotes research into the causes and prevention of Sudden Infant Death.
www.anamcara.ie
Anam Cara Parent Bereavement Support group supports patents and families on the loss of a child.
www.rainbowsireland.com
Rainbows Ireland is a peer-support programme to assist children, youth and adults who are grieving a death, separation or other painful transition in their family
www.feileacain.ie
Féileacáin aims to provide support to anyone affected by the death of a baby during pregnancy or shortly after. They are a group of bereaved parents who came together to offer hope and support to others.