There is probably nothing more challenging than losing a loved one.
What’s more, it can be difficult knowing how to honor our deceased, although we believe keeping them alive in our memories makes them happy while up there.
A prayer for someone in Heaven can help you feel more peaceful with the loss while getting closer to God.
One of the most common and practical styles of remembering our loved ones in Heaven is lighting candles as you pray.
The practice has been in existence for centuries.
Below are seven powerful prayers to say while you light a candle for someone in Heaven, alongside encouraging Bible verses to read in the grief of your loved one.
1) Prayer To Light a Candle for Someone in Heaven
“Loving Father,
I light this candle in honor of my loved one in Heaven, [loved one’s name]. You have witnessed how difficult my days have become and that’s why I come to You today.
In the company of Your son, Jesus Christ, the deceased shall live forever and rejoice in your kingdom. That’s what I believe for my loved one as I pray in Your name.
Amen.”
Lighting a candle in the memorial of a dead loved one holds different meanings for everyone.
While to some, it’s part of an afterlife act, to others, it’s a personal choice that enhances their bond with the beautiful soul in Heaven.
You might be shocked by what it means to light a candle after the passing of your dear one.
Despite your faith, traditions, and beliefs, you can honor the memory of a departed you love by lighting a candle.
It is a simple and affordable way to show them you care and hold them in your memories.
2) Prayer for Lighting a Candle for a Dead Loved One
“Blessed Lord,
This candle represents my remembrance of [name of the deceased], who I love and miss. Losing them has brought grief and emotional suffering to me and my family.
But as Your Word says that blessed are those who mourn for You shall comfort them, Lord I pray that You soften the blow for us in this time of grief.
I acknowledge that our tears and suffering represent the depth of our affection for them and the special connection we shared. I humbly ask for faith to face the difficult days and courage to help bear the burden of my grief. Amen.”
If you belong to the Catholic faith, you’re likely not new to lighting candles. The Catholic church is normally adorned with rows of candles at the altar.
Lighting a candle is a practice that dates back millennia and is used to strengthen prayer, bringing one close to God.
Furthermore, Catholics commemorate the souls of their deceased loved ones throughout November. The holiday is widely recognized as All Saint’s Day.
However, that doesn’t mean you can only light a candle in November.
You can individualize your session by lighting a candle whenever you miss or think about your dead loved one, honoring them through prayer.
God knows your grief and will offer you comfort.
As you light a candle for your loved one, you also make sure they reach Heaven and God guides their path to be by His side.
“How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me, when his lamp shone on my head and by his light I walked through darkness!” — Job 29:2-3.
You can also say a prayer for the soul to rest in peace.
3) Beautiful Prayer for Lighting a Memorial Candle
“Father in Heaven,
I light this memorial candle to celebrate my dead loved one, who will always remain in my heart. I give thanks for their lives and remember them fondly.
They were a blessing and a shining light not only to me but to everyone around me. I miss their kindness, laughter, smiles, the wonderful times we shared. I treasure sharing experiences with them and genuinely uphold their legacies.
I pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
You might be wondering what kind of memorial candle to light for your deceased. Don’t worry, the choice depends on your preferences and religious background.
Some people opt to:
- Purchase personalized candles with the name or photo of their dead beloved;
- Simple red or white candle;
- Jewish Yahrzeit candles;
- Votive candles.
However, you don’t have to go through such an extent if it’s not within your means.
If you’re a Christian, lighting religious candles like Jewish Yahrzeit candles or votive candles could make you feel closer to your deceased loved ones.
If you’re not inclined to any religious doctrine, a white candle is the best choice.
Flameless candles are also practical for places where a fire is prohibited. There are also virtual candles available online to offer consolation as you remember your loved one.
4) Catholic Prayer To Say Before Lighting A Candle
“Lord, in Your power we receive life and at Your utterance, we return to the ground. I rejoice because those who die have not perished but still exist in Your presence. I pray in hope of my family and for the dead only known to You.
May they be fulfilled in Your Kingdom, in the company of Christ Jesus, who died so that our souls might be saved, where our sorrows will melt away.
By the power of the Holy Ghost, I pray, Amen.”
Jesus used the symbol of light several times when teaching His disciples.
He said in Matthew 5:16 that we should let our light shine before others so that they may witness our good deeds and glorify our Father in Heaven.
The fact that you are lighting a candle for someone you love but sadly passed away means that they touched your life.
Perhaps they were the kindest or most selfless people you met. Similarly, you should ask yourself how you’d like to be remembered after you die.
As you think about that, let your light shine through good works.
Purpose to live righteously and peacefully with everyone, so that they too can light a candle after your departure to honor your missed presence.
You can also say a 40 days prayer after death for your loved one.
5) Prayer with a Memorial Candle to Someone in Heaven
“Dear God,
I uplift [name of the deceased] as they start their new life of eternal rest. May this memorial candle remind me of your love as You grant them peace and rest.
You are the light of the world, oh Father, and so I pray that we may find comfort and hope as our journey on Earth continues. I look forward to the promise of eternal life and being rejoined with my loved one in Heaven.
In Your precious Name, I pray, Amen.”
Losing someone close to you is one of the most difficult experiences in life.
As you need to surround yourself with people who will help you in your grief, I encourage you to soak yourself in prayer.
When you light the memorial candle, praying for the deceased can help you deal with the loss and bring you closer to God at the same time.
Let this prayer give you peace of mind knowing that God will answer you accordingly.
Read this Bible verse for encouragement today — John 11: 25-26:
“Jesus says, I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me shall live in Heaven. Though they die, because of believing in Me, shall have eternal life.”
6) Remembrance Prayer for a Soul in Heaven
“Everlasting Father,
I remember my beloved in Heaven because they left a permanent mark on me. I know they are always with me and I can summon them by thinking about them, though countless years pass by. Their memory will never fade from my mind and heart.
I believe that when I leave my Earthly body, our souls shall unite in Heaven as we rejoice in Your presence.
I pray in the Name of the Father, Amen.”
What a relief it is knowing that death doesn’t mean the end of us!
Death is merely the shedding of our physical form so that our souls can be joined with our Heavenly Father.
As you grieve the death of your loved one, be encouraged to know that you will get to see them again in Heaven.
Psalms 30:5 says that weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.
Therefore, it is okay to cry with grief but remember that your peace and happiness are coming soon.
7) Memorial Prayer to Light A Candle for a Loved One
“Merciful Lord,
I light this candle for my deceased loved one. To disperse the darkness and bless the times we had together.
Years come and go, and I’m weary of the change, but one thing remains constant, my love and memory of them. Though I keep moving on, I know it’s not the same without them.
In honor of my loved one in Heaven, I promise to uphold their values and open my doors and arms to those in need, as they did.
In the righteous Name of Christ, I pray, Amen.”
If you’re looking for other ways to honor the memory of your deceased loved one, I’ve got you covered.
You might want to recite a poem on their death anniversary.
There is no written code on what you need to say but pour out what’s in your heart to say about them.
We can also keep our dead loved on alive in our memories by keeping their photos or other mementos.
In my family, we like to make a scrapbook or memory item box with our loved ones’ names to keep them at the forefront of our thoughts that day.
We all gather around and share our favorite memories of that family member.
You can also form an online tribute page. As it’s also a great way to spark the memory of your loved one as different people share their past moments with the deceased.
You can also say a prayer to guide a soul to heaven.
How to Use a Prayer Candle?
First of all, you need to select the candle of your desire and invite a priest or religious leader to bless it.
Light the candle at a time or date significant to you for example the death anniversary, and then recite a prayer for your loved one in Heaven.
Let the candle self-extinguish before discarding the wax respectfully by burying it in a reasonable place.
Should I Say These Prayers When Lighting a Memorial Candle?
Yes. You can use memorial candles during vigils where you gather as a family to remember your dead loved one.
Light the candle, pray and grieve together as you cherish their memory.
Will These Prayers Reach My Loved One in Heaven?
If you believe, they definitely will.
I encourage you to always recite your prayers with faith because that’s the only way they can reach God and our departed loved ones in Heaven.
Praying over a lighted candle is also a beautiful way to intercede for your beloved deceased.
Final Thoughts
Experiencing the loss of a loved one is difficult. Even after grieving and moving on, you can’t help but feel the void.
You are not alone.
Lighting candles for dead loved ones is a great way to cherish their memories. Even better, reciting prayers in honor of them helps to give you peace and bring you closer to God.
Don’t despair alone in the darkness. Invite Jesus, the light of the world, into your grieving process, and He will lessen the burden as you await to join your loved one in Heaven one day.