Is this an appropriate prayer request?

~Anastasia~ · Aug 13, 2014

Is this appropriate, from an Orthodox point of view?

My dear friend just passed away after a very long battle with cancer. She left a husband and two children. I'm still trying to understand how it can be shocking to me, in a way, when it seemed almost inevitable, but I have been praying for her healing with renewed faith for healing for a while now. She did hold on so much longer than expected.

Anyway. Sorry. My reason for starting the thread was to ask whether it is appropriate to ask Orthodox to pray for the departed? My friend was not Orthodox, but she was very sincere in her faith as a Christian. None of her family is Orthodox or Catholic, and no one will be praying for her, although I'm sure everyone is praying for her husband and children, her mother, and those closest to her.

I know in Church the only ones usually commemorated by name are Orthodox Christians or catechumens, but there is nothing inappropriate about asking personal prayers for a non-Orthodox person who dies, is there? I would hope it wouldn't be something offensive to anyone in her family - they probably just see it as ineffective.

Her name is Mindy, and she has a wonderful, gracious, loving heart.

Thank you.

Protoevangel · Aug 13, 2014

It is absolutely appropriate, and I am happy to keep Mindy in my prayers.

Antony in Tx · Aug 13, 2014

It is never inappropriate to pray for God's mercy on one of his children. While it may not be the practice of the church to pray corporately by name for one who was not a member/catchumen, my priest has told me repeatedly that we can pray individually for the salvation of one and for the salvation of all and in doing so, we raise up our own soul to God for His Love and Mercy.

~Anastasia~ · Aug 13, 2014

Thanks, Protoevangel, and Anthony.

I would and have of course been praying for her anyway.

Prayers appreciated so much.

I think about ones who pass and no one prays for them (as I was taught it was wrong to do so). Generally families are largely the same faith, so those in my family who have passed for generations, I suppose no one prayed for them either.

Thank you for the prayers. I only hope she is experiencing much comfort and joy. I know that no human "deserves" it as we are all sinful, but she seems to come as close as any can. She was very kind to me at a time when I really needed it.

Thanks again. God bless you. +++

RileyG · Aug 13, 2014

I'm not Orthodox, but I will be praying for Mindy.

gurneyhalleck1 · Aug 13, 2014

I pray for the dead be they atheists, agnostics, Protestants, Catholics, Buddhists, etc. We ALL need God's grace, especially ME! We should all pray for the departed.

RileyG · Aug 13, 2014

gurneyhalleck1 said:
I pray for the dead be they atheists, agnostics, Protestants, Catholics, Buddhists, etc. We ALL need God's grace, especially ME! We should all pray for the departed.

Anhelyna · Aug 14, 2014

Just spotted this

Kylissa of course it's an appropriate request.

Personal knowledge coming up - which backs this up.

Whilst my husband - a self proclaimed atheist [ I referred to call him agnostic] was ill he insisted I go to Church every week whether he was in hospital or at home - and as I had to go by public transport that meant I was away for about 7 hours !! - he knew my faith was important to me.

During all this time some Orthodox friends had requested that he would be prayed for at every single Liturgy by their priests , my EC friends had done the same. My Orthodox priest friend in New York did the same - and he still does and has told me he will do so as long as he lives .

Prayers for Mindy and her loving grieving family and friends

May Mindy's memory be eternal

~Anastasia~ · Aug 14, 2014

Thanks for all of your prayers and kind words.

I realized this morning that I had asked a really stupid question ... we were discussing not long ago here that some prayed for Hitler, etc. So ... why not a kind a gracious Christian woman who didn't happen to find the Orthodox Church?

I just wasn't thinking clearly at all.

Thank you all so much for your prayers.

ArmyMatt · Aug 14, 2014

absolutely can pray for them. I did when my Methodist grandmother departed, although between you and me, I am pretty sure she is Orthodox now

Antony in Tx · Aug 14, 2014

Kyllissa, not a stupid question at all, but rather a very humble one. When we are humble, we are on the right path. In a way, you helped to remind us all of our need to pray fervently for all of God's children and all of His creation. Thank you.

~Anastasia~ · Aug 14, 2014

Thanks, Matt, that actually inspires a question, but I will wait to ask another time.

And thank you, Antony, that was very kind of you to say.

I appreciate the kind words and prayers from all of you.

God bless you all. +++

The Unorthodox Orthodox · Aug 15, 2014

It is not only appropriate, it is obligatory
.

~Anastasia~ · Aug 15, 2014

The Unorthodox Orthodox said:
It is not only appropriate, it is obligatory
.

Thank you .... good point.

Is this an appropriate prayer request?

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