Retirement: It Always Ends in Death, So Let's Talk About It!Sample

3. Ready to Go – Dying Proactively

A second kind of death may be one where you proactively tell God you are ready — perhaps even asking Him for death to come. Paul described this feeling in his final letter. He didn’t ask for death, but he knew the end had come, and he accepted it with full confidence in Christ:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7 NIV

Not everyone arrives at this moment the same way. But for some, it becomes clear. They are not asking to live longer. They are asking to be released. And when that request is offered in peace and prayerful unity with others, it can be a powerful and faithful act.

There are times when families come together in this decision. When everyone agrees that the time for striving is over, and it is better to pray not for more time, but for a peaceful end. When a believer has already made peace with God and reconciliation with family has been received, the request to die is not rooted in defeat — it is rooted in assurance. And that prayer can be honored by God.

This kind of prayer is not for everyone, and it should never be rushed. Moses, Elijah, Job, and even Paul all spoke of their longing to depart when their lives felt complete or their burdens too heavy. In Philippians 1, Paul wrote:

“To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” – Philippians 1:21 NIV

Paul is right — to die in Christ is not a loss, but a gain. Sometimes, after a long life of service and faith, you may also know when you are ready to go. At that time, there is no bitterness or fear. Just a calm realization that your days are complete and eternity is near.

This can be especially meaningful if you express it clearly to your loved ones. Doing so opens the door to final conversations that matter — blessings, prayers, and quiet honesty. It also spares your family the confusion of guessing your final wishes. When you are able to make this decision together and pray for death to come, it becomes a gift — a legacy of peace that may strengthen their own faith.

But asking God for death is not something most Christians talk about. Even though it may be a clear sign of trust, we treat it as if death can never be the right thing to pray for. But that isn’t true. A longing to join God for all eternity can be the mark of a life well-lived and a faith fully matured. It shows that you’re not clinging to this life, but trusting fully in what lies ahead — with Christ.

There is no formula for how to die well. But when readiness is met with peace — when the body is fading and the spirit is full of faith — it is completely OK to ask the Lord to bring you home. It is a prayer He understands. And when the time is right, it is a prayer He will answer.

Take Time to Reflect

1. Have you ever considered that asking God for a peaceful death could be an act of faith? Why or why not?
2. Are there people in your life with whom you need to make peace before your time comes?
3. What conversations should you have now so that your loved ones know your desires for the end of life?