Editor's Note: This post was published June 4, 2018 and revised June 2, 2020.
In the past year our church has suffered the loss of several members and loved ones. They were "senior Saints" and were as active as they could be. They were an integral part of the church.
There are many people today that have lost loved ones because of COVID-19, other illnesses, and 're natural causes. Some of were sudden and tragic, others expected (although you're never ready for it).
At times like these we don't know what to say or do for those suffering with grief and sorrow. If we’re honest we don't really know how or what to pray. Yes we try to remember prayers we’ve heard people pray when they’ve tried to comfort us in our grief. We try to remember the words of comfort that we’ve heard or read at memorials, funerals, and other celebrations, but nothing seems adequate. Perhaps it’s because none of those things really comforted us. We wonder why we can’t think of the words and we blame ourselves for not being able to provide that comfort, but what we’ve forgotten is that it’s not about us at all.
We know that when you can't find the words the Holy Spirit speaks through groans that we don’t understand.
Romans 8:26 NIV In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
But He also gives us words that we can understand, often through others, that express our sincere desires when we come to Him in prayer.
In the past year our church has suffered the loss of several members and loved ones. They were "senior Saints" and were as active as they could be. They were an integral part of the church.
There are many people today that have lost loved ones because of COVID-19, other illnesses, and 're natural causes. Some of were sudden and tragic, others expected (although you're never ready for it).
At times like these we don't know what to say or do for those suffering with grief and sorrow. If we’re honest we don't really know how or what to pray. Yes we try to remember prayers we’ve heard people pray when they’ve tried to comfort us in our grief. We try to remember the words of comfort that we’ve heard or read at memorials, funerals, and other celebrations, but nothing seems adequate. Perhaps it’s because none of those things really comforted us. We wonder why we can’t think of the words and we blame ourselves for not being able to provide that comfort, but what we’ve forgotten is that it’s not about us at all.
We know that when you can't find the words the Holy Spirit speaks through groans that we don’t understand.
Romans 8:26 NIV In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
But He also gives us words that we can understand, often through others, that express our sincere desires when we come to Him in prayer.
4 Prayers for the Dying (and the Mourning)
Here are 6 prayers for the dying and the mourning from 6 Prayers for the Dying (and the Mourning) by Rachel Dawson
A Prayer for Those Who Fear Dying
Dear God,
You are God, and I’m not. You sent Jesus to be my Savior, so I must need to be saved. I need you to forgive the things I’ve done wrong in life. I need you to give me a fresh start in life. I need you to help me know my purpose. I want to begin a relationship with you. I ask you to come into my life. I want to learn to trust you. I want to learn to love you. I want to learn to love other people the way you want me to. So I ask you today with humility and honesty and sincerity to please save me as I put my trust in you.
I pray this prayer in Jesus’ Name. Amen
A Prayer For All Our Tears
Dear Jesus,
Today, I cry tears that mean a hundred things at once, happy and sorrowful and desperate and hopeful. I trust You to sort them out as You catch them, to hear and answer each prayer they represent.
I cry for those of us left behind, for the lonely ones with hollows in our hearts. I ask You to comfort us, give peace, restore hope, and lavish us with love, family, and belonging. In the depths of loss, meet us with Yourself.
I cry for the legacy this loved one leaves, for the ways the world has been made different by their presence, for the memories that become both more beautiful and more painful on this side of death. And I pray that the work You have accomplished in this remarkable life will grow deeper, wider, and stronger in the days to come, uninhibited by a weak opponent like death.
I cry for those who haven’t yet accepted Your invitation into eternal life, for those who grieve without hope today. I pray for awakening in their hearts, for a stirring that draws to You. I pray for more attendees at the grand reunion scheduled in the coming eternity.
I cry for all the ways the world has gone wrong, and for all the ways You’re making it right again. I ask that You make me part of Your work in bringing the kingdom of heaven to earth.
I cry knowing You are here with me. And because You are here, even my tears have meaning.
A Prayer for When You Grieve a Lost Loved One
Lord,
My heart is feels like a thousand knives are running through it. I am weary, spent, and just so sad. Please, help me! Hear my prayers. Hold me and my family up. Give us strength. Be present. Be persistent in your love. Carry us through this heartache. Sustain us. Bring us joy and hope.
In Your Name I pray, Amen.
A Prayer for Those in the Midst of Tragedy
Dear God,
Our hearts are grieving with those who are hurting, for those who have lost loved ones, for those who have suffered such great tragedy at the hands of evil. We ask that you would be their Comforter, that you would cover them with your grace and mercy, surrounding them in peace during this dark time.
We thank you that you alone are our Refuge, our Strong Tower, our Defender, and our Peace. We thank you that no matter what we face, you are still on the throne, you are still in control, and that no evil can ever stand against you. It will be defeated, it will not win. For you alone have won the final victory, and the enemy’s days are numbered.
We ask that by your mighty power, you would bring down the forces of darkness, that you would thwart the plans of all those who plot to attack and destroy, that you would draw out of darkness those souls who need to know you as Savior and Lord. We praise you for your power to set the captives free. We know that only in You do we have the hope to face dark and uncertain times. For our future is secure through the sacrifice of Christ.
Thank you God that you are surely with us…thank you that you care…thank you that your Presence is close…and that you weep with those who weep. We need you. We know and believe beyond any doubt, that your power and love will never fail.
In the Mighty Name of Jesus,
the Name Above All Names,
Amen.
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