The “Prayer for Protection from Sudden Death” draws inspiration from St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church, who taught believers to “keep death before our eyes” while trusting completely in God’s mercy. This prayer asks for the grace to live each day prepared to meet God, to receive the sacraments frequently, and to practice daily “dying to self” so that death may come as a friend rather than a stranger. It invokes the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, St. Joseph (patron of a happy death), and our guardian angels, while begging for the grace of final perseverance and a death precious in God’s sight, whenever and however it may come.
Prayer for Protection from Sudden Death
Most loving Father, You who know the hour of my death, though I do not, grant me the grace to live each day as if it were my last, yet without anxiety or fear.
Through the intercession of St. Francis de Sales, who taught us to keep death always before our eyes while trusting entirely in Your mercy, I beg You to preserve me from sudden and unprepared death.
Grant that I may frequently receive the sacraments with devotion, especially Holy Communion and Confession, that I may always be ready to meet You.
Help me to practice that “little death” of self-will each day, dying to my own desires and living for You alone, so that when my final hour comes, death may find me as a friend rather than a stranger.
Should You call me suddenly, may the Holy Name of Jesus be on my lips and in my heart. May Our Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, the patron of a happy death, and my guardian angel assist me in that hour.
Above all, O Lord, grant me the grace of final perseverance and a death precious in Your sight, whenever and however it may come. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.