Prayers for Grief

The one to start with.

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit. Psalm 34:18

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

Lord, I’m grieving, and it hurts more than I can say. Be near. I don’t need You to fix it. I need You to stay. Hold me when I cry, and hold me when I can’t. Let me know I’m not alone in this. In Jesus’ name, amen.

For the first days after losing someone.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

Father, I’ve lost someone I love, and I don’t know how to go on. Give me strength for the next hour, and then the next. Let me feel Your love through the people around me. Don’t let me be alone with it. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Sometimes the prayer is only a sigh.

In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered. Romans 8:26

God, I don’t have any words. My heart is too heavy. The Spirit prays for me with groans too deep for words, so I’ll let Him. Hear what I can’t say. Take my tears as my prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

For a friend who lost someone.

Lord, I’m praying for someone who is grieving. You know their pain. Comfort them in ways I can’t. Give them rest, give them people, and give them time. Show me how to be there, and help me say less and love more. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Grief with hope is still grief, but it isn’t hopeless.

But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

Father, I grieve, but not as those who have no hope. Jesus rose, and so will those who are in Him. Hold me in that hope when the sadness is loud. Let me trust that this is not the last word. In Jesus’ name, amen.

For the mornings that are the hardest.

Lord, the mornings are the hardest. Help me get through this one. Give me one small thing to be thankful for, and the strength to do the next thing. Be here with me. In Jesus’ name, amen.