Prayer for a Blessed End.

O Merciful God, Thou hast put a limit to man’s life, which no man can set aside. For he has his definite time, the number of his months rests with Thee. Thou hast numbered all our days, which pass away like a stream, as though we flew away. Man is like grass, which soon withereth, like the flower of the field, which passeth away. Teach me, O merciful God, to know and take to heart, that I, too, must pass away and that my life has a limit, and I must go hence. Behold, my days are as a handbreadth before Thee, and my life as nothing in Thy sight. Every man at his best is altogether vanity. Lord, so teach us to number our days, what it is, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Lord, teach me to remember that I must die, and have no continuing city in this pilgrimage. Make 143 known unto me my short and transient being, that I may often think of my end, so that in this world I may not live unto myself, but live and die unto Thee, so that I may bravely and joyously await the day of my translation and the appearance of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, and with a consecrated life and a pious conduct hasten to Him. Bless me, O God, with a blessed departure, and when my hour cometh, that I may joyously die, find a rational end in true knowledge, and that my reason and intellect be not deranged, and I speak no arrogant words or blasphemies against Thee, my Lord, or against my salvation. Preserve me from an evil sudden death and from eternal damnation. Let me not be suddenly overcome by my last hour without warning, but that I may prepare myself with true repentance and sincere faith. And when it comes make me joyous and brave for my temporal death, which only opens the door to the eternal life. May I then, as Thy servant, depart in peace. For 144 mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel. Grant that my last word may be that which Thy dear Son spoke on the cross, “Father, into Thy hands do I commend My spirit!” And when I can no longer speak, hear Thou my last sigh through Jesus Christ. Amen.