Topical Bible: Natural Death: Pray to be Prepared For

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Natural death, as understood within the Christian tradition, is the end of earthly life that occurs through the natural processes of aging or illness, as opposed to death by violence or accident. The Bible provides guidance on how believers should view and prepare for this inevitable part of human existence.

Biblical Perspective on Death

The Bible acknowledges death as a consequence of sin entering the world through Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:19: "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground, because out of it were you taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return"). However, it also offers hope through the promise of eternal life for those who believe in Jesus Christ (John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life").

Praying for Preparedness

Scripture encourages believers to live in a state of readiness for death, emphasizing the importance of spiritual preparedness. Psalm 90:12 states, "So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom." This verse highlights the need for wisdom in recognizing the brevity of life and the importance of living in accordance with God's will.

Prayer is a vital component in preparing for natural death. Through prayer, believers seek God's guidance, strength, and peace as they face the reality of mortality. Philippians 4:6-7 advises, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Living a Life of Faith

A life of faith and obedience to God's commandments is essential in preparing for natural death. The Apostle Paul, in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 , reflects on his own life, saying, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing."

Hope in the Resurrection

Believers are encouraged to find comfort in the hope of the resurrection. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 reassures, "Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him."

Encouragement to the Faithful

The Bible offers encouragement to those who are nearing the end of their earthly journey. Revelation 14:13 proclaims, "And I heard a voice from heaven telling me to write, 'Blessed are the dead—those who die in the Lord from this moment on.' 'Yes,' says the Spirit, 'they will rest from their labors, for their deeds will follow them.'"

In summary, the Bible provides a framework for understanding and preparing for natural death through prayer, faith, and hope in the promises of God. Believers are called to live wisely, remain steadfast in their faith, and find peace in the assurance of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 39:4,13
LORD, make me to know my end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Oh Ungrateful and Impious Age, Prepared for Its Own Destruction by ...
... What, I pray you, means [3393] this cruelty, what such ... might be received; but it
is more natural to suppose ... in the body of His flesh through death," to which ...
/.../65 oh ungrateful and impious.htm

That Perfect virtues are Never one Without the Other.
... the sympathy amongst the organs of man's natural life ... by the want of reflection
[517] "death enters by ... What prudence, I pray you, Theotimus, can an intemperate ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter vii that perfect virtues.htm

How Love Makes Use of Natural, Servile and Mercenary Fear.
... which thunder, tempests, and other natural dangers cause in ... even operate after the
father's death, and therefore ... practised against thee: we also pray thee, to ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xviii how love makes.htm

In Death and after Death
... four days', that of reproof; after five days', a natural death. ... generally as soon
as possible after death (Matthew 9 ... 11:31) partly to mourn and partly to pray. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 10 in death and.htm

The Life that Can Pray
... conscious we become of our unfitness to pray in power ... to the law of all nature, that
death is the ... pleasure, even where these appear perfectly natural and sinless ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter v the life that.htm

Sin Laid on Jesus
... it may mean, whatever over and beyond natural death was intended ... as a subject for
contemplation, and I pray you do ... his blood and wounds, by his death, and by ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/sin laid on jesus.htm

The Holy Spirit Our Helper in Prayer
... for the much greater reason can no man pray save by ... Our mother's lips, now sealed
by death, taught us ... but these prayers, flowing through the natural channel of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the reality of prayer/xiv the holy spirit our.htm

A People Prepared for the Lord
... of helping Christ, and coming in all their natural impotence and ... of sickness, or
in the article of death itself, but ... ready to come to him; and I pray that many ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 41 1895/a people prepared for the.htm

Demonstration xxii. --Of Death and the Latter Times.
... but the old men advanced in years pray for it ... In that place there shall be no natural
desire, for ... generation, nor ending, nor failure, nor death, nor termination ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xxii of death and the.htm

Preached on Occasion of the Death of the Rev. Mr. John Fletcher ...
... Why, the Methodists are a people that do nothing but pray. ... 9. But this sickness was
not unto death; it was ... It appeared so natural in him, that it seemed as his ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 133 preached on occasion.htm