Those who deny that death is part of life use hope to avoid the reality of the situation and hope then becomes part of the denial mechanism. Hope is always reinforced by the power of prayer. When the patient realizes there is no longer any hope for a remission or cure, the focus of hope changes. He or she may ask God not to prolong suffering or ask if life could continue long enough to attend a family member's wedding. Finally, hope is wanting to be with God after death or the resurrection.
Christian hope is the essence or source of life even though the patient is dying.
The spiritual care-givers are standing at the foot of the Cross with the very ill helping the process of Christian faith enter into the patient's soul through the Holy Spirit. They are there to help the dying through the last stages of life. Cures of physical symptoms and their causes are not always possible, but God's healing defines the element of hope in each person. God's healing comforts the patient who knows death is imminent for he believes the God who created him will redeem him. Healing emerges from hope in God even when there is suffering and the humbling experience of chronic and serious illness.