Prayers for a Deceased Father

2 traditional prayers for a deceased father, and 4 passages from the Bible to pray with them. Choose one, read it aloud, or print it as a card to keep.

Prayers

For an Anniversary of One Departed

Almighty God, we remember this day before thee thy faithful servant, and we pray thee that, having opened to him the gates of larger life, thou wilt receive him more and more into thy joyful service; that he may win, with thee and thy servants everywhere, the eternal victory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From the Book of Common Prayer (1928)

Remember Thy Servant, O Lord

Remember thy servant, O Lord, according to the favour which thou bearest unto thy people, and grant that, increasing in knowledge and love of thee, he may go from strength to strength, in the life of perfect service, in thy heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

From the Book of Common Prayer (1928)

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Bible verses

Like as a Father Pitieth His Children

13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. 17But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;

Psalm 103:13-17, King James Version

Precious in the Sight of the Lord

15Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

Psalm 116:15, King James Version

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Blessed Are the Dead Which Die in the Lord

13And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Revelation 14:13, King James Version

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I Have Fought a Good Fight

7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:7-8, King James Version

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Questions

Which prayer for a deceased father should I start with?

Start with "For an Anniversary of One Departed" and pray it each day, with Like as a Father Pitieth His Children (Psalm 103:13-17) to read alongside it.

Are these Catholic or Protestant prayers?

Both. They come from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer and the Bible. Most can be prayed by any Christian.

Can I change the words to fit my situation?

Yes. Where a prayer says "N." or "thy servant", put in the name of the person you are praying for.

Why are the prayers in old-fashioned English?

They keep the words of the older prayer books and the King James Bible, the words generations have prayed. "Thee" and "thou" are the old familiar forms of "you".