Are you afraid of death?
That through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery Hebrews 2:14-15
Heavenly Father,
We confess, we have all sorts of fears about death.
Thank you for inviting us to name our fears to you:
Some fear the unknown —
after all, no one can tell us what it’s like to die.
Some fear they will be bored in heaven—
after all, the rumor has spread
we will sprout wings
and float around on clouds
listening to bad worship music.
Some fear suffering agonizing pain
when they die.
Some fear meaninglessness —
that dying will make their lives count for nothing.
And last but certainly not least —
some fear judgment (2 Cor. 5:10).
Thankfully, you sent Jesus our sinless Savior to die,
and in destroying death,
he has given us hope for these fears.
We know that we need not fear judgment
because we face death in Christ’s righteousness,
which has been credited to us. (Phil. 3:9; 2 Cor. 5:21).
We know we have an eternity
to live and serve you
in the new heavens and new earth,
so our lives will never be meaningless (See Rev. 21-22).
We know you, the God of all comfort (2 Cor. 1:3),
will provide comfort (even medicinal)
for whatever suffering we may experience
in the process of dying.
And finally, we know
we will never become angels,
but one day, when Christ returns,
he will give all of your children
resurrection bodies
in which we will live
enjoying and glorifying you forever (1 Cor. 15:51-53; 1 Thess. 4:16-17).
Oh, Lord, thank you for the hope we have in Christ
for any and every fear of death!
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Read Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 7:9; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58.
