I have received a copy of Denise's mother's prayer that was read at the Cathedral service. Denise is at peace, and I pray for the same for her family.
Almighty and Gracious God,
I come to you on bended knees and with a broken heart. My spirit is weak, and I am distraught that such an evil person took my dear Denise’s life. I feel the forces of evil closing in on me and am exhausted with pain and bitterness. I am tormented that when my beloved daughter needed me most, I was not there to protect her.
I know you are a good and gracious God. I know the power and comfort of your word, but tonight I beg to feel your presence. As I loosen my arms from around my precious child and release her to your care, I beg you to hold her lovingly in your arms, to take her into your bosom and to welcome her as the angel she is.
Lord, help me to understand the power of your love to overcome the power of death and to know that our precious daughter is in your eternal care. I pray for your merciful understanding and that your Spirit may now grant our beloved Denise the same mercy and grace in Heaven that sustained and encouraged her on Earth.
O God, help me to always remember the great joys that Denise brought to the life of our family and in these sad moments remember her grace, the elegance of her spirit, her goodness and the depth of her love for us. I pray that my dear daughter, Denise, will forgive me for not being there to protect her as I did when she was as a child and youth.
Amen
Almighty and Gracious God,
I come to you on bended knees and with a broken heart. My spirit is weak, and I am distraught that such an evil person took my dear Denise’s life. I feel the forces of evil closing in on me and am exhausted with pain and bitterness. I am tormented that when my beloved daughter needed me most, I was not there to protect her.
I know you are a good and gracious God. I know the power and comfort of your word, but tonight I beg to feel your presence. As I loosen my arms from around my precious child and release her to your care, I beg you to hold her lovingly in your arms, to take her into your bosom and to welcome her as the angel she is.
Lord, help me to understand the power of your love to overcome the power of death and to know that our precious daughter is in your eternal care. I pray for your merciful understanding and that your Spirit may now grant our beloved Denise the same mercy and grace in Heaven that sustained and encouraged her on Earth.
O God, help me to always remember the great joys that Denise brought to the life of our family and in these sad moments remember her grace, the elegance of her spirit, her goodness and the depth of her love for us. I pray that my dear daughter, Denise, will forgive me for not being there to protect her as I did when she was as a child and youth.
Amen