Requiem Aeternam
Rest eternal, give unto them, O Lord
That the weary may find pasture with your Lamb
Let perpetual light shine upon them
That they may see the way unto your Grace
In the midst of fear and frailty, Father of Strength
May they find refuge in the Rock of Faith
Bewailed by the ends of time
May they find a Steadiness in the words of your voice
Quell the tears of sorrow, clear their blurry eyes
That the stricken may see the brightness of tomorrow
Quiet the cries of the bewidowed, in the presence of lasting life
“Be Not Afraid, For I the Lord am with you always.”
Douse the anger in their hearts, remove the sands of rage
Bring forth the warmth of eternal love, and compassion
That they may overflow with the Glory of Your Light
Rest eternal, give unto them, O Lord
That the lost may find Love in your Christ
Let perpetual light shine upon them
So that for them nothing is hid
Amen
This is an extension of Requiem Aeternam prayer found in the traditional funeral rites of Christianity. It is a reflection on the severity of loss, and the importance of keeping the strength of one's faith through the most difficult times. The prayer begins and ends with stanzas that include the opening of the prayer: "Eternal Rest, give unto them, O Lord" to show that our comfort both in loss and at the end of life rests in the arms of God. This poem is an attempt at a contemporary psalm tradition.