A Prayer for a Long Life Well Lived

Gracious God,
we gather today with full hearts
to give thanks for a long life, richly lived.

We thank you for the many years you granted,
for the seasons of joy and of challenge,
for the milestones celebrated
and the quiet, faithful days in between.

We thank you for the family that grew and flourished,
for the friendships that endured,
for the wisdom that was shared
and the love that never faltered.

A long life is a gift, Lord,
and we are grateful for every chapter of this one,
from the early years of promise
to the later years of grace.

Now, as this earthly journey reaches its end,
we commend your faithful servant into your keeping.
Grant them the rest they have earned,
the peace they deserve,
and the joy of your eternal presence.

And grant us, who remain,
the gift of gratitude,
that we may look back on this life
not with sorrow that it is over,
but with thankfulness that it was so full, so long, and so deeply loved.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.