Prayer for the loss of a loved one
Short prayers for the days after a death, when long ones are more than you can manage.
Updated
Also for grief · death of a loved one · mourning · lost my mom · lost my dad
A prayer
Original writing, not a quotation of Scripture.
Lord, my heart is broken and I don’t know how to hold this loss. Thank you that you are close to the brokenhearted, that grief is not something I have to hide from you. I don’t need to have it figured out today.
Comfort me in the moments the missing feels unbearable, and remind me that love does not end at a grave. Hold the ones I love who are grieving too. When my strength fails, be the strength of my heart.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
More prayers for the loss of a loved one
The first night
They're really gone and the house knows it. I can't pray anything good tonight, God, so I'll sit in the quiet and let you be here. Keep me company until morning, and help me eat something.
On a hard day
A song came on and it knocked me flat. Let me cry without apologizing to anyone, Father. Remind me that missing them is what my love looks like now, and that it's allowed to take up room.
Before the funeral
Give me strength to stand at the service and hold the people who come. Let the stories bring a laugh between the tears. Carry our family through the day, Lord, and let us rest when it's over.
Months later
Everyone else has moved on and I haven't, Jesus, and I'm grateful you never set a deadline on my grief. Send one person who will say their name out loud with me, and keep me from feeling foolish for still hurting.
Bible verses for the loss of a loved one
Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.
He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
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.”
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?”
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.