Psalm 71

O Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need:¹ We fly to you for succour in behalf of this your servant, here lying under your hand in great weakness of body.²

Look graciously upon him, O Lord; and the more the outward man decays, strengthen him, we beseech you, so much the more continually with your grace and Holy Spirit in the inner man.³

Give him unfeigned repentance for all the errors of his life past, and steadfast faith in your Son Jesus;⁴

that his sins may be done away by your mercy, and his pardon sealed in heaven, before he go hence, and be no more seen.⁵

We know, O Lord, that there is no word impossible with you; and that, if you will, you can even yet raise him up, and grant him a longer continuance amongst us:⁶ Yet, forasmuch as in all appearance the time of his dissolution draws near, so fit and prepare him, we beseech you, against the hour of death, that after his departure hence in peace, and in your favour, his soul may be received into your everlasting kingdom, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, your only Son, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.⁷