How to Pray for a Grieving Heart
I am no stranger to grief. I witnessed my great grandma lose three out of her four children by the time I was 10. I lost both of my Dad’s parents by the time I was 18. And I lost my own Father at 20. My husband lost his entire family at 15.
Grief is a common wave we navigate pretty regularly in our home.
With the start of a new year, it can often be a time of reflection, looking back on the year that has passed, and resolutions for the upcoming one. While that may bring optimism and excitement for many, it can also be a difficult period for anyone dealing with grief.
Anchors Away
Trying to navigate never-ending gatherings, parties, and social engagements can leave you feeling overwhelmed and exhausted before the start of the new year even sets in. It’s normal to feel this way; if you’re struggling to find joy in the celebration and festivities around you, know that you’re not alone.
If you’re like my husband, you prefer to grieve independently and silently. If you’re like me, sharing where I’m at and what I’m going through helps me process my emotions in a more clear way.
No matter how we may process grief, as followers of Christ, we are called to not only share in one another’s joy, but to carry each other’s burdens. Maybe you don’t know how to sit with someone in their grief, or maybe you are attempting to navigate grief on your own this season.
Either way, continue reading to journey with me through 5 scriptures I love to pray, that encourage hope and healing (and dare I say, joy) this season.
Please note: it is so important to seek discernment from the Holy Spirit if you are unsure how to walk with a loved one through their grief. Use these scriptures to pray out loud over yourself or your loved ones, or pray them quietly before the Lord as you lift up those you love (I have been doing this A LOT lately). But most of all, allow God’s words to restore faith and hope by believing with all your heart, mind, and soul!
1. John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14:27
Heavenly Father, we come to You today with broken hearts, asking for comfort and peace for our beloved one who is grieving. We know that nothing can ever replace the precious one they have lost. The pain of such a deep loss is immense. Yet, Lord, we turn to You in faith knowing that You are the God of all comfort. Please pour out Your peace on them during this difficult time and help them to trust in Your unfailing love and goodness.
We pray that You would provide strength and courage each day as they face this devastating season of life. May they sense Your presence close beside them at all times, even as they wrestle with their sorrow. Give them grace to take one step at a time and courage to look towards the future even amidst such sadness. May they experience a unique kind of joy even in their grief, knowing that when all else fails, you never will.
We may not be able to make this right or take away the pain, but thank You for the promise of John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” – which reminds us of Your abiding presence in every circumstance and situation we face.
Lord, may our beloved one find hope in these words and trust in Your perfect plan for their lives throughout this heartbreaking ordeal.
In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen
2. Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18
Lord Jesus, we come before you today in prayer for those who are grieving. We know that the pain and burden of grief can be overwhelming and we humbly ask You to bring Your healing balm of comfort to all who are hurting.
We are praying that You fill their hearts with hope and peace as they journey through this season of loss. Remind them that even in their darkest hour, You are near to them, loving them with an everlasting love. Let them find solace in knowing that nothing can separate them from Your great love for them.
Help them to not become consumed by the sadness and despair they may feel, but instead give them a supernatural strength and courage to press on. Increase their faith so they trust in Your loving provision and see You as the ultimate Restorer. Open up opportunities for people around them to be there in practical ways, offering support and tangible help during this difficult time.
Lord, thank You for being close to those who are brokenhearted and saving those whose spirits have been crushed. We place our faith in You, believing that even when life doesn’t make sense, Your ways will prevail. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
3. Romans 8:28
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28
Dear God,
We thank You for the comfort and peace that only You can provide. We come before You in prayer today on behalf of those who are grieving. Lord, bring them hope in this time of sorrow and anguish, we pray. Help them to cope with their grief and provide them with strength to pull through during difficult times.
Father, give them clarity of mind to understand Your perfect will for them as Romans 8:28 tells us that all things work together for good for Your glory and purpose. Help them to trust in Your timing and plan for their lives even in the midst of pain. Provide a sense of security that comes from knowing that nothing happens outside of Your loving control.
Help those grieving to heal from the wounds created by sorrowful losses, show them grace as they transition through pain and suffering while renewing their spirit each day. Supply an outpouring of mercy on their hearts so they may trust in You despite any challenges or hardships life throws at them. Encourage those struggling with the reality of difficult circumstances so they may look to the future with faith and confidence knowing that You will never leave or forsake them.
We ask all these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
4. Isaiah 41:10
“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
Almighty God, creator of all things, we come before You today with heavy hearts and ask for Your comfort and peace to be upon our friend who is grieving. Lord, we know that this is a difficult time for them, as they feel overwhelmed by the pain and sadness of their loss. We pray that You will wrap them in Your arms of love and give them strength to move forward.
Thank You for being near to them during this challenging season. Grant them courage to keep going even when it is hard and when they don’t feel like it. Would You fill their heart with hope and assurance that things will get better with time. Help them to find joy in the little things once again, even when it doesn’t seem possible. Reveal Yourself to them in special ways that only You can do, so that they can experience Your loving presence each day.
Please, give them the words they need to be able to express themselves honestly and vulnerably while expressing how they are feeling during this process. Help us all as we seek how best to support our friend throughout their journey as they heal emotionally, spiritually, mentally, physically and relationally from this loss.
Lord, we lift up our eyes to you now because you are our Rock, Fortress and Deliverer who never changes or fails us – no matter what life throws at us! Amen
5. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
Father, we come to You today in plea for Your comfort and peace. Lord, You know the pain of grief that those who have lost their loved one experience. We pray that You would be present with them during this difficult time and provide strength and courage to face each day ahead. Be close to them, Lord, and fill their hearts with hope and faith.
How grateful we are that Jesus died and rose again, so that even those who have gone before us may not be forgotten, but will be resurrected when He returns. We trust in Your promises of eternal life for all who believe in Jesus Christ. May these truths bring peace to their hearts as they grieve the loss of their beloved one.
Give them patience as tears eventually give way to healing; replace sadness with joy over cherished memories; replace loneliness with comfort from friends and family; replace despair with assurance of a reunion one day in Heaven. Wrap them up in Your loving arms as they go through this season of life filled with sorrow. And may they find strength knowing that You are never absent—You are always right beside them! Amen
As we go into this New Year, let us not forget the power that prayer has over a grieving heart. Even Jesus, who was fully God, lamented over Lazarus’ death – knowing full well that He was going to revive his breath.
Grief is not something God is scared of, and neither should we be. Maybe you sit awkwardly and silently pray these scriptures over yourself or a loved one. Or, maybe you loudly proclaim these truths together.
This year, let us pray for our loved ones, that they would be safe and healthy, and that they would know the love of Christ.
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Happy New Year, friends.
