Ask Your Preacher - Archives
“Any Last Words?”
Categories: CATHOLIC, PRAYER, RELIGIONS, WORSHIPWhat is the prayer a preacher says when someone is pronounced dead?Sincerely,
Dying Breath
Dear Dying Breath,
You are probably thinking of the Catholic practice of Last Rites… which is not a Biblical practice, but a man-made hocus-pocus tradition. The Catholic church teaches that someone who is dying should be given “last rites” which includes a prayer and the Eucharist (their twist on the Lord’s Supper) administered by a Catholic priest. This practice cannot be found in the Scriptures. The Bible doesn’t give an example of a prayer that needs to be said when someone is pronounced dead or near death… although, it would be entirely appropriate to pray at that time. Mourning is one of the most important parts of the human experience because it reminds us of our own mortality (Eccl 7:2) and the importance of being prepared to face God (Heb 9:27).
