Losing someone you care about can leave you at a loss for words. In those quiet, heavy moments, a short prayer for the soul to rest in peace can bring comfort and light.
These prayers are simple yet full of meaning. They help you speak from the heart when it’s hard to know what to say.
In this blog, I’ll share Catholic prayers with verses, ways to use them, and guidance rooted in faith. Each prayer offers peace for the soul and healing for the living.
If you’re looking for words that bring calm and hope, you’re in the right place.
Biblical Basis for Praying for the Dead
In the Catholic faith, praying for the dead is an act of love and hope. It shows trust in God’s mercy and care for those who have passed.
Catholics believe that souls may still need cleansing before entering heaven, which is what purgatory means. By praying, we ask God to help these souls find peace.
A key verse that supports this is 2 Maccabees 12:46, which says it is good and holy to pray for the dead so they may be forgiven.
These prayers serve as a means to support souls on their journey to be united with God. They remind us that love and faith continue even after death.
List of Prayers for the Soul to Rest in Peace
Short prayers can bring comfort when someone we love has passed. They are simple, heartfelt, and easy to say during moments of sadness or quiet thought.
Each one offers peace and hope for the soul and those left behind.
1. To Seek Eternal Rest and Divine Light
Prayer: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
Verse:Wisdom 3:1 – “The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.”
2. To Ask God to Welcome the Soul Into Heaven
Prayer: Merciful Father, welcome our beloved into Your presence. Cleanse their soul and grant them eternal joy. May they be embraced in Your peace and shine in Your glory forever. Amen.
Verse:John 14:2 – “In my Father’s house are many rooms… I go to prepare a place for you.”
3. To Honor Christ’s Sacrifice and Promise of Resurrection
Prayer: Lord Jesus, through Your cross and resurrection, bring this soul to life eternal. May their sins be forgiven and their joy be complete in heaven with You forevermore. Amen.
Verse:Romans 6:5 – “For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united… in a resurrection like His.”
4. To Offer Hope and Peace After Earthly Suffering
Prayer: Almighty God, we lift this soul to You in trust and hope. Let them find rest, peace, and everlasting happiness in Your presence, free from sorrow and pain. Amen.
Verse:Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…”
5. To Entrust the Soul to the Care of the Good Shepherd
Prayer: Jesus, Shepherd of Souls, guide this faithful servant to Your kingdom. May they hear Your voice, follow You into life everlasting, and rejoice among Your saints forevermore. Amen.
Verse:Psalm 23:1 – “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
6. To Ask Jesus for Mercy and Forgiveness
Prayer: Loving Savior, forgive the sins of this soul and clothe them in Your mercy. Receive them into paradise and grant them the rest that only You can provide. Amen.
Verse:Luke 23:43 – “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
7. To Invite the Holy Spirit’s Comfort and Peace
Prayer: Holy Spirit, wrap this soul in Your peace. Let the warmth of your presence comfort them in eternity and bring light to the place where they now dwell. Amen.
Verse:Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace…”
8. To End Suffering and Begin Everlasting Life
Prayer: Father of mercy, look kindly upon this soul. May their earthly struggles be over, and may they find eternal rest at Your side, full of light and grace. Amen.
Verse:Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
9. To Ask For Divine Light and Holy Remembrance
Prayer: O Lord, shine Your divine light on this soul and bring it into the peace of Your everlasting kingdom. May their memory be a blessing forever. Amen.
Verse:Daniel 12:3 – “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky…”
10. To Rest the Soul From Pain And Grant Them Joy
Prayer: Jesus, Prince of Peace, let this soul rest from all pain. Welcome them into the joy of Your heavenly home, and may Your mercy endure forever upon them. Amen.
Verse:Isaiah 57:2 – “Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.”
11. To Provide Refreshment, Peace, and Heavenly Vision
Prayer: Grant this soul, O Lord, a place of refreshment, light, and peace. May they rejoice with Your saints and behold the beauty of Your face forever. Amen.
Verse:1 Corinthians 13:12 – “Now we see only a reflection… then we shall see face to face.”
12. To Commend the Soul into God’s Care and Joy
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You alone know the depths of this soul’s heart. Cleanse them with your love and receive them into everlasting peace and joy beyond understanding. Amen.
Verse:Philippians 4:7 – “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
13. To Thank God For Their Life and Release Them in Love
Prayer: O God, who created this soul in love, receive them with compassion. Let them be at peace in Your holy presence and forever rejoice in Your goodness. Amen.
Verse:Psalm 116:15 – “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants.”
14. To Seek Remembrance in God’s Eternal Kingdom
Prayer: Lord, remember this soul in Your kingdom. Let their rest be gentle and their joy eternal, surrounded by angels and saints, praising You without end. Amen.
Verse:Luke 23:42 – “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
15. To Ask The Sacred Heart for Mercy and Peace
Prayer: Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on this soul. May they be cleansed in Your love, forgiven through Your sacrifice, and granted the peace of heaven. Amen.
Verse:1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins…”
16. To Ask For Cleansing and Welcome into Paradise
Prayer: God of compassion, wash away every stain from this soul. Let them find warmth in your love and enter the gates of paradise with songs of praise and everlasting peace. Amen.
Verse:Psalm 51:7 – “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”
17. To Entrust the Soul to Angelic Care
Prayer: Lord, send Your holy angels to carry this soul into everlasting life. May they be guarded in peace and welcomed by saints into the joy of Your presence. Amen.
Verse:Matthew 24:31 – “He will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect…”
18. To Grant Forgiveness and Divine Companionship
Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive this soul’s sins and bring them to dwell with You. May they never be alone but always walk in the company of saints and angels. Amen.
Verse:Isaiah 41:10 – “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.”
19. To Bless the Memory of the Departed
Prayer: O Lord, bless the memory of this soul. Let their love remain among us, and may their kindness echo in eternity through Your mercy and truth. Amen.
Verse:Proverbs 10:7 – “The memory of the righteous is a blessing…”
20. To Bring Peace After a Long Journey
Prayer: God of rest, receive this weary soul. Their work on earth is done. Let them rest in You and be refreshed in the quiet joy of eternal peace. Amen.
Verse:Hebrews 4:9 – “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God…”
21. To Lift the Soul from Purgatory
Prayer: Jesus, Redeemer of the world, draw this soul from all purification. May their time of waiting end, and may they rejoice in the fullness of Your presence. Amen.
Verse:2 Maccabees 12:46 – “It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.”
22. To Ask Mary’s Intercession
Prayer: Blessed Mother, pray for this soul. Wrap them in your mantle and lead them to your Son, our Savior, where eternal rest and divine joy are found. Amen.
Verse:Luke 1:46–47 – “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
23. To Offer Comfort for Grieving Hearts
Prayer: Lord, as we commend this soul to You, comfort our hearts. Let us trust in Your promises and feel the peace that only Your grace can provide. Amen.
Verse:Matthew 5:4 – “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
24. To Express Gratitude for Their Life
Prayer: Father, we thank You for the gift of this soul. Their life was a light to many. Receive them now into the eternal home prepared by Your mercy. Amen.
Verse:1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
25. To Offer a Final Blessing over the Departed
Prayer: May the Lord bless and keep this soul. May His face shine upon them and give them eternal peace as they enter into the fullness of His love. Amen.
Verse:Numbers 6:24–26 – “The Lord bless you and keep you… and give you peace.”
26. To Acknowledge Human Weakness and Divine Mercy
Prayer: Lord, You know our faults. Be merciful to this soul and do not count their sins. Let them dwell in the peace that surpasses all understanding. Amen.
Verse:Psalm 103:10 – “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.”
27. To Pray for Reunion in Eternal Life
Prayer: Lord, may we one day join this soul in Your kingdom. Until then, keep them in Your care and let them rejoice in the glory You have promised. Amen.
Verse:John 11:25 – “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”
28. To Surrender the Soul Fully to God
Prayer: Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend this soul. Let Your mercy surround them and grant them the rest that no eye has seen, nor ear heard. Amen.
Verse:1 Corinthians 2:9 – “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard… God has prepared for those who love Him.”
29. To Honor a Life Well Lived in Faith
Prayer: Lord, thank You for this soul’s faith and witness. Let their example inspire us, and may they now rest in the reward of Your eternal promise. Amen.
Verse:2 Timothy 4:7–8 – “I have fought the good fight… there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness…”
30. To Pray for Peaceful Transition into Eternity
Prayer: Gentle Lord, grant this soul a peaceful passing from death into life. Let them awaken to Your presence and walk forever in Your everlasting peace. Amen.
Verse:Philippians 1:21 – “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
31. To Release the Soul into God’s Timing
Prayer: Lord, You hold time and eternity. Receive this soul according to Your perfect will. May they rest until the day of resurrection and rejoice in Your mercy. Amen.
Verse:Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…”
32. To Ask Christ to Be Their Eternal Light
Prayer: Christ, our Light, shine forever on this soul. May they no longer walk in shadow but bask in Your glory, free from all darkness and fear. Amen.
Verse:John 8:12 – “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness…”
33. To Remember God’s Faithfulness in Death
Prayer: Faithful God, You do not forget Your children. Hold this soul close and let Your covenant of love be their eternal resting place. Amen.
Verse:Psalm 100:5 – “For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.”
34. To Seek Union with Christ Beyond Death
Prayer: Jesus, unite this soul to Your Sacred Heart. Let them be lost in Your mercy, found in Your love, and risen with You in everlasting glory. Amen.
Verse:Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”
35. To Rest in the Hope of Resurrection
Prayer: Lord of life, we believe in the resurrection. Let this soul sleep in hope and rise with joy on the day You return in glory. Amen.
Verse:1 Thessalonians 4:14 – “We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.”
36. To Request Mercy at Judgment
Prayer: Judge of all hearts, look with mercy on this soul. Let their final hour be filled with hope, and grant them a place in Your everlasting home. Amen.
Verse:Hebrews 9:27 – “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…”
37. To Commend the Soul to Saints and Angels
Prayer: O holy saints and angels, receive this soul and present them before the throne of God. Let them sing with you forever in heaven’s peace. Amen.
Verse:Revelation 7:9–10 – “A great multitude… cried out: ‘Salvation belongs to our God…’”
38. To Release Pain and Embrace God’s Healing
Prayer: God of healing, lift every burden from this soul. Let them be free of sorrow, full of peace, and embraced by Your mercy and lovingkindness. Amen.
Verse:Psalm 147:3 – “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
39. To Celebrate the Soul’s Return to The Creator
Prayer: Creator of all, receive this soul whom You formed in love. May they return to You in joy, renewed and glorified in Your everlasting presence. Amen.
Verse:Ecclesiastes 12:7 – “And the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”
How to Use These Prayers
These short prayers can bring comfort when words are hard to find. They are easy to say and fit many moments of grief or quiet remembrance. Here’s how to use them with meaning and care.
During a Funeral or Wake
You can read these prayers in silence or speak them with family. They help everyone feel calm and stay focused on love and peace.
Saying a prayer together before or after the service can feel like a final gift to the one who passed. Some people like to stand in a circle and take turns reading. Others prefer to listen quietly. Both ways are okay. Just speak from the heart.
At a Memorial or Anniversary
Lighting a candle or placing a photo can set a gentle mood for prayer. You can stand, sit, or kneel, whatever feels right. Say the prayer out loud or whisper it.
This moment helps you feel close to the one you lost. Some people use these prayers every year on the same day. It’s a good way to keep their memory alive.
In Daily Devotion or Private Time
These prayers also work during quiet times at home. You can add one to your morning or night prayer routine. Some people keep a list and read a different one each day.
You can say them in your head or out loud. It’s a way to feel connected to your loved one and God. Even a short prayer can bring peace to your heart.
Wrapping Up
Saying a short prayer for the soul to rest in peace is a gentle way to stay close to those who have passed. These prayers remind us that love doesn’t end.
They help bring calm in sad times and hope for what’s ahead. Whether you use them at home, during a service, or on a quiet evening, each one holds meaning.
Try lighting a candle, saying a prayer out loud, or writing your own based on the ones shared here. If you found this helpful, you might want to save a few of these prayers to use when the time feels right.
