Prayers for Lighting Candles: 

These prayers are intended to be used while lighting a candle for a loved one. Feel free to use the candles in Lingle Chapel.

Memory Candles 
As we light these four candles in honor of you, we light one for our GRIEF, one for our COURAGE, one for our MEMORIES and one for our LOVE. 

This candle represents our GRIEF. The pain of losing you is intense. It reminds us of the depth of our love for you. 

This candle represents our COURAGE – to confront our sorrow. to comfort each other, to change our lives. 

This light is in your MEMORY – the times we laughed, the times we cried, the times we were angry with each other, the silly things you did, the caring and joy you gave us. 
 
This light is for the light of LOVE. 
As we enter this holiday season, day by day we cherish the special place in our hearts that will always be reserved for you. We thank you for the gift your living brought to each of us. We love you. 
 
~From Holiday Help: Coping for the Bereaved, by Sherry Gibson, B.S., R.N. and Sandra Graves, Ph.D.Candles in the Night 

Candles in the Night 
Candles flame in darkness, 
flicker, steadily glow, 
bringing light from shadows 
and help to soothe us so. 
Our daughter, like the candles, 
gave our lives true light. 
We use the candle's beacon 
to connect us in the night. 
 
As we light the candles, 
our wish and our request 
is that she'll see our signal 
and know our love's expressed. 
As her light joins our light 
our worlds touch and flame 
As we put the candles out 
we softly say her name... 
 
~written by Genesse Bourdeau Gentry,  
from her collection of poetry, Stars in the Deepest Night - After the Death of a Child 
 
Lights of Love 
Can you see our candles  
Burning in the night?  
Lights of love we send you  
Rays of purest white 
 
Children we remember  
Though missing from our sight  
In honor and remembrance  
We light candles in the night 
 
All across the big blue marble  
Spinning out in space  
Can you see the candles burning  
From this human place? 
 
Oh, angels gone before us  
Who taught us perfect love  
This night the world lights candles  
That you may see them from above 
 
Tonight the globe is lit by love  
Of those who know great sorrow,  
But as we remember our yesterdays  
Let's light one candle for tomorrow 
 
We will not forget,  
And every year in deep  
December On Earth we will light candles  
As...we remember 
 
Written by TCF Member Jacqueline Brown For National Children's Memorial Day 
 
One Little Candle 
I lit a candle tonight, in honor of you  
Remembering your life, and all the times we'd been through. 
 
Such a small little light the candle made  
until I realized how much in darkness it lit the way. 
 
All the tears I've cried in all my grief and pain  
what a garden they grew,watered with human rain. 
 
I sometimes can't see beyond the moment, in hopeless despair. But then your memory sustains me, in heartaches repair. 
 
I can wait for the tomorrow,when my sorrows ease. Until then,I'll light this candle, and let my memories run free 
 
~written by Sheila Simmons, Dallas, GA  
In Memory of Steven Simmons  
 

A Candle for Your Child 
Today you will light a little white candle  
and say aloud your child's name.  
For one fateful day, your life was changed.  
The holidays will never be the same. 
 
Today you will light a little white candle  
and hang an ornament on a special tree.  
Who would have thought you would be in this place?  

Sharing your child as a memory. 
Today you will light a little white candle,  
a small gesture to some others.  
Here we share the pain of our loss,  
with Mothers, Fathers, Sisters & Brothers. 
 
Today you will light a little white candle,  
and as you gaze into the flame,  
may comforting memories flood your mind,  
as you proudly say your child's name. 
 
Today you will light a little white candle,  
With us your compassionate friends...  
For all of us know that though they're not here,  
our Love for Them NEVER ends. 
 
Tammy Tobac for TCF service 1996  
in memory of my brother Tommy Dolby 
 
A Mother's Christmas Wish 
I guess if I could make just one Christmas wish,  
I would wish I could see you.  
To hold, to snuggle, to just kiss,  
This is something I'd really like to do.  
 
My arms ache for my baby boy,  
Who will always remain just that.  
To never grow and experience joy,  
I wish I knew where you were at.  
 
Why is it God thought he needed you more than I, And why is it wishes can't come true?  
I am just an aching heart who can only ask why, And a mother who can't let go of you.  
 
Please God grant me this one Christmas wish,  
If just for a minute, an hour or a day.  
He is someone I really need & miss,  
What more must I say?  
 
Written By: Beckie/HeavensAngel 
 
A Short Candle Lighting Prayer 
Our world is full of troubles; our hearts grow heavy but we remember that God is with us. And we remember that Jesus is coming. And we remember that the kingdom is near. So we light three candles for joy, with hearts filled with yearning. with hearts daring to open with hearts held safe in God’s hands light the candles Lord Jesus, come soon! 

Light a Candle 
And I will light a candle for you.  
To shatter all the darkness and bless the times we knew.  
Like a beacon in the night.  
The flame will burn bright  
and guide us on our way.  
Oh, today I light a candle for you.  
The seasons come and go,  
And I'm weary of the change.  
I keep moving on,  
you know it's not the same.  
And when I'm walking all alone,  
Do you hear me call your name?  
Do you her me sing the songs we used to sing?  
You filled my life with wonder,  
Touched me with surprise,  
I always saw that something special deep within Your eyes.  
And through the good times and the bad,  
We carried on with pride.  
I hold onto the love and life we knew. 
 
~Paul Alexander