We must root out of the soul all fear and horror of that which is approaching mankind from the future. How fearful and anxious man makes himself today before that which lies in the future, and especially before the hour of death! Man must make his own a calm composure in connection with all feelings and sensations directed toward the future, behold with absolute equanimity everything that may come, and think only that no matter what comes, it comes to us out of the wisdom-filled guidance of the world. This must be placed ever and again before the soul.

Rudolf Steiner, Nov. 27, 1910
(Beiträge #98, 1987, P. 21)

Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

For The Many Who Have Died

The Good Shepherd lead them
Where they are transformed
That they may breathe
The air of eternal Being.

Where they work as soul
For worlds to come
The grace of the Spirit
Unite us with them.

adapted from Adam Bittleston*

*Adam Bittleston, Meditative Prayers for Today, Floris Books

For the Ill

Hearts which love,
Sun which warms,
You footprints of Christ
In the Father's Universe,
We call to you from our own hearts,
We search for you in our own spirits:
O stream toward him! [them]

Rays from human hearts,
Longing, warm with devotion
You homes of Christ
In the Father's house of earth.
We call to you from our own hearts,
We search for you in our own spirits:
O live with him! [them]

Radiant human love
Warming sunshine.
You soul garment of Christ
in the Father's human temple.
We call to you from our own hearts
We search for you in our own spirits:
O help within him![them]

Given by Rudolf Steiner for one severely ill.

For our Country

O Christ, you know
The souls and spirits
Whose deeds have woven
This country's destiny.

May we who today
Are bearers of this destiny
Find the strength and the light
Of your servant Michael.

And our hearts be warmed
By your blessing, O Christ,
That our deeds may serve
Your work of world healing.

adapted from Adam Bittleston

Short Intercession
(for those who mourn)

May the Good Shepherd lead (him, her, them)
Into peace of heart
Into hopeful thinking,
Into patient strength of will;
Health of body,
Harmony of soul,
Clarity of spirit,
Now, and in the time to come.

Adam Bittleston