Abbey-Roads2

Prayer for death. 

In the lectio continua of this week’s daily readings at Mass, we are listening to the Book of Tobit.  In today’s reading both Tobit, and his future daughter-in-law Sarah pray for death.  Tobit, now blind, and insulted by his wife - she more or less challenged him on his piety and charity, stopping short of calling him a hypocrite - he seeks death as a solution to the calumny he suffers.  On the other hand, Sarah, wants to hang herself because of several unsuccessful weddings - well there is more to it than that.  However, both turn to heaven and  pray for death.

Thoughts of suicide.

I have no idea of how many people contemplate taking their own lives.  However, it is not unheard of for people to pray for death.  Someone with a terminal illness may desire death to be quick, and ask God for this.  People with depression often pray for death.  Some poor sinners find their lives so tormented, virtue seemingly unattainable, they too pray for death.  It may not please God that people do this, but it is much safer than committing suicide, at least the person praying leaves the decision up to God.

St. Raphael

I’m convinced God hears every one of our prayers, even if he is not always pleased with the request.  Indeed he answers them, as today’s reading demonstrates; “The prayer of these two suppliants was heard in the glorious presence of Almighty God.  So Raphael was sent to heal them both.”

It seems to me Raphael would be the proper intercessor for those contemplating suicide, or desirous of death.  He is the healing saint, and would supply the remedy for the underlying sorrow that prompts a person to pray for death.

One is not supposed to pray for death, it is meant for God to decide when this occurs.  At Fatima, an invalid asked Lucia to petition Our Lady to relieve her of suffering and take her to heaven soon.  Our Lady responded that it was up to God and that one ought not try to rush the Will of God in these matters.

Nevertheless, one may feel so depressed, death seems preferable to life.  I think the lesson here is to keep praying, even if one is inclined to pray for death - at least it is an honest prayer, albeit imperfect.  (Depressed people generally are not concerned about perfection.)  God always hears our prayer and he who searches souls knows well what is at the heart of the matter.  If Our Lord does not heal the malady, he certainly will supply the grace we need to bear our cross, and grow in grace and understanding.

Not everyone can find spiritual or psychological counsel when they fall into the depths of depression, nor are they able to pray for anything more than death.  Which is why the Christian must pray for those most in need of mercy, and for those who have no one to pray for them.  Our charity ought to make us kind towards those who are most disagreeable, because it is often these who suffer a great deal of interior anguish, leading them to either desire death, or contemplate suicide as a remedy to their unhappiness.  When we exercise ourselves in charity through our prayer, we are more easily disposed to exercise it in our actions and attitudes towards others.

Take some time and visit Penitent Blogger- as usual, he has a beautiful meditation on today’s readings and the prayer for death.  View From the Pews has a practical approach to handling depression and anxiety which can be helpful as well.

Never despair of God’s mercy.