Pray... Like You Are Dying

Tim McGraw made the "live like you were dying" phrase even more famous than it already was. But the concept has been around for a long, long time in the sacred scriptures. 

Our CVC Bible reading plan today has us in Psalm 90 where Moses asks the Lord to teach him how to "number his days" - to remember how short life really is so that he leverages his one life to accomplish the most good. 

Has this ever been the basis of prayer for you? Unless Christ returns to take us to heaven, we are all going to die. "It is appointed unto man to die" (Hebrews 9:27). 

So, why not pray for God's grace to help you live like you are dying?

Here is a prayer for dying well that is built from scripture. It was compiled by Matthew Henry in his book, Method of Prayer. I have made a few edits and added some scripture prayers at the end.

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"Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know and consider how fleeting I am, that my days are as a few handbreadths and all mankind stands as a mere breath (Psalm 39:4-5). My days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding (1 Chronicles 29:15).

"Lord, so teach me to number my days, that I may get a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). And make me to discern my latter end (Deuteronomy 32:29).

"Lord, make me always ready, dressed for action with my lamp burning (Luke 12:35) for the Son of Man is coming at an hour I do not expect (Luke 12:40).

"Keep me all the days of my service, waiting till my renewal comes; and then shall you call, and I will answer (Job 14:14-15).

"Bring me to my grave like a sheaf gathered up in its season (Job 5:26). Satisfy me with life, whether it be long or short, and show me your salvation (Psalm 91:16).

"And when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, be with me, that I may fear no evil; let your rod and your staff comfort me (Psalm 23:4).

"Let goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life, and let me dwell in the house of the LORD forever (Psalm 23:6). May steadfast love and faithfulness be with me (II Samuel 15:20).

"Ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, and receive me (Psalm 49:15). Guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me into glory (Psalm 73:24).

"To me to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). Help me to know that to depart and be with Christ is far better (Philippians 1:23).

"Again today, I do repent of my sin and do put my trust in Jesus, the one who bore my sins in his body on the cross. He alone is my Lord and Savior. And I will follow him to that day when he will wipe away every tear from my eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:4).

"In my last days and on my deathbed, may I never do anything or say anything that will discredit your name or hinder my witness. May I be holy in all my behavior - even my dying - because You are holy ( I Peter 1:15). I set my hope fully on the grace that will be brought to me at the revelation of Jesus Christ (I Peter 1:13). 

"In Jesus' name, Amen."