Is it okay to pray for somebody to die?

[doughty]

I have an elderly relative, who is in an awful amount of pain. She has told me that she wants to die. I guess I probably want her to as well, to relieve her suffering. I know the Church is against euthanasia – actually killing someone – but is it okay for me to pray that she dies soon?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

While your intentions are good and very understandable, I cannot recommend actually praying for someone to die. I recommend praying for her that she will be spiritually strengthened to endure her agony, be given the grace of final perseverance, and be given the grace of a happy death when God’s time for her comes. I also recommend encouraging your relative to pray that her sufferings be united to Christ’s sufferings on the cross. You might also take her a crucifix so that she might meditate on it.