We are truly sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. We believe that praying for the dead is not a biblical concept as the eternal destiny of a person is determined at the moment of their death. The story of the Rich Man and Lazarus gives us insight into this. The rich man's eternal state could not be changed after his death. He was in torment even though he had brothers who were still alive and could have prayed for him.
While we cannot pray for the dead, we can remember their service and character as believers and assume they are in heaven because of their faith in Jesus Christ if they had accepted him as their Lord and Savior. We want you to know that we are committed to praying for you and your family during this difficult time.
Let's pray.
Heavenly Father, we come before you in the name of Jesus Christ, lifting up this family who has suffered a great loss. We pray for your comfort and peace to surround them during this difficult time. We pray for spiritual and emotional healing for the entire family, especially for the deceased's wife and children, who are deeply affected by this loss.
We pray.
John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 14:6: Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.
Luke 16:26: Besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that those who want to pass from here to you are not able, and that none may cross over from there to us.
Father God, we know this is a hard time for them. We pray that you will let them feel your presence in a very real and tangible way. We pray you will be gracious and extend your hand, and that your loving kindness and your tender mercies will give them the strength they need at this time.
Amen.
We encourage you to take comfort in the words of Jesus in John 11:25-26, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die.
Please know that you are not alone in your grief. We are here to support you and pray for you. While it is difficult to see the purpose in losing a loved one, we trust in God's plan and timing. We pray that you will find peace and hope in the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.