Death is an inevitable part of life that we must all face eventually. As Christians, the Bible provides comfort, hope and guidance on how we can best prepare ourselves both spiritually and practically for when that day comes.
Here are some key ways the Bible says we can prepare ourselves to die:
1. Put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior
The most important preparation for death is to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. The Bible tells us that anyone who believes and trusts in Christ will have eternal life (John 3:16). When you put your faith in Jesus, your sins are forgiven and you can have assurance of going to heaven when you die. Some key verses on this include:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Knowing you have eternal life through Christ can give great peace and confidence as you face death.
2. Live each day ready to meet God
Since we do not know when our last day on this earth may be, Jesus taught that we must always be prepared to stand before God at any time. This means actively living each day like it could be our last and staying spiritually ready. Important verses include:
“You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Luke 12:40)
“So you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:44)
Keeping an eternal perspective, maintaining a close walk with God, having a clear conscience before Him, and staying focused on pleasing Christ every single day are ways we can remain ready to meet our Maker.
3. Keep prayer and Bible reading a priority
Building a strong spiritual foundation requires consistency in prayer and studying the Word of God. Maintaining these spiritual disciplines helps prepare us to die through strengthening our faith, deepening our relationship with the Lord, and renewing our minds to become more like Christ. Relevant verses include:
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation” (1 Peter 2:2)
Avoid letting other priorities crowd out consistent time in Scripture and prayer, which provide nourishment for our souls.
4. Make things right with others
Knowing our days are numbered should motivate us to do all we can to live at peace with others and seek forgiveness where needed. We must forgive those who have wronged us and humbly ask forgiveness from anyone we have hurt or offended. Key verses include:
“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24)
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12)
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)
Making things right with others provides peace and closure as our time on earth winds down.
5. Set your affairs in order
While maintaining our spiritual priorities, the Bible also contains practical instructions to set our affairs in order in preparation for the day of our death. This includes getting our finances, possessions, and relationships settled to the best of our ability. Relevant verses include:
“In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.’” (2 Kings 20:1)
“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8)
“So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12)
Taking care of wills, financial accounts, relational reconciliation and saying important goodbyes gives us confidence that we have handled what God entrusted to us on this earth.
6. Meditate on eternal truths
As death draws closer, we should fill our minds with God’s eternal promises and truths found in Scripture. Passages to focus on include:
“Blessed are those who die in the Lord…they will rest from their labors.” (Revelation 14:13)
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 116:15)
“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25)
“I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!’” (Revelation 14:13)
Pondering the glories of heaven, the hope of resurrection, and eternal rewards can infuse us with joy and anticipation amidst grief.
7. Trust God’s timing is perfect
Because God is sovereign and omniscient, we can trust His timing is perfect even when our death comes earlier than expected. Verses to remember include:
“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” (Hebrews 9:27-28)
“A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.” (Job 14:5)
“My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!” (Psalm 31:15)
Though painful, submitting to God’s timing with trust brings comfort and peace.
8. Believe God is with you as you pass
God promises His children that we do not have to experience the moment of death alone. He is right there with us as we take our final earthly breath. Relevant verses include:
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
Knowing God is right by our side can give courage and hope in our final moments.
9. Consider writing a biblical legacy letter
Writing a Spirit-guided letter to leave behind for loved ones can provide biblical encouragement, express final thoughts and blessings, offer reassuring hope of reunion in heaven, and reaffirm love. Key passages on legacy include:
“We want each one of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” (Hebrews 6:11-12)
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.” (Joshua 1:8)
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4)
A biblical legacy letter traces God’s faithfulness and provides a final guide for applying God’s truth.
10. Entrust your loved ones to God’s care
Though letting go of earthly relationships is hard, we can entrust spouses, children and other family into God’s loving and capable hands. His grace and strength is sufficient for all. Key verses include:
“Leave your fatherless children. I will keep them alive. Your widows too can depend on me.” (Jeremiah 49:11)
“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 24-25)
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
Entrusting loved ones to the Lord allows us to let go in peace when facing death.
In summary, the Bible offers great hope, comfort, and practical guidance on how we can best prepare for our inevitable departure from this world. By putting our faith in Christ, staying spiritually ready, taking care of relationships and affairs, trusting in God’s timing and promises, and entrusting loved ones to Him, we can face death with confidence, hope and peace.