The loss of a loved one and the grief that comes with it has to be one of the hardest things to walk through in this life. While I have dealt with several losses in my life, it’s recently been fresh on my mind with the recent loss of a friend to suicide. My heart has been burdened with prayers of grieving and loss for her family and friends.
Loss seems to bring out questions. “Why them?” “Why me?” “How can this be for good?” “God, I don’t understand!” The loss brings you to your knees. You cry out to God with your hurts and pain, whether it’s for you or someone you care about.
Here are some comforting prayers for grief and loss that you can pray for yourself or for anyone who is going through this difficult season.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our full disclosure for more information.
How Do You Pray for Someone Who is Grieving a Loss
You may wonder how to even pray for someone who is grieving a loss. While prayers during grief may be rawer, prayer is still prayer. Prayer is a conversation with God. Prayer is unburdening your heart and handing those burdens to God.
When someone you care about is dealing with a loss, you are burdened for them. Prayer is an important way you can support your family and friends in their grief. As you lift them before the Lord in their trial, remember that God cares for them even more than you do.
The Bible is full of verses dealing with grief and loss, so you can use these verses to formulate prayers for those you care about. Pray for things such as peace, strength, and trust. You can pray for healing, comfort, and hope.
Bible Verses for Someone Who is Grieving
As I just mentioned, there are many Bible verses for someone who is grieving. God’s Word has given us everything we need for this life, including comfort in times of loss.
Bible verses such as these can later be incorporated into prayers for those who are grieving. I want to share several of my favorites with you.
“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 ESV
The first few verses I want to share are great reminders that God is with you in times of grief. Notice the second verse. It’s a great reminder that God is with you when, not if, trials come.
- “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2 ESV
- “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
Following are perfect verses to remind you that God is there to heal and comfort those who are broken by grief. He also helps us comfort others because we have been comforted.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3
- “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, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any afflictions, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
- “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
I find that one of the most amazing things about grief as a Christian is that even in our grief we have hope. We serve a risen Lord and look ahead to eternity in heaven! We will see our loved ones again! Because of this, we have strength and hope in our God.
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26
- “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
- “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
Not only do you have hope and strength in loss, but in time our mourning will turn into joy. The time of sorrow won’t last forever.
“Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.” Jeremiah 31:13
Prayers for Grief and Loss
There is no exact prayer that will magically take away your grief. However, 1 Peter 5:7 reminds you to cast all your anxieties and worries on the Lord. Grief is something you need the Lord’s help with. You need Him to carry you.
Let the following prayers guide you in praying your own prayers as you or your loved one begins healing after mourning a loss.
“Dear Lord, I am at a loss for words in how to walk with ___ down this road of grief. You have promised that you are near the brokenhearted, and I know her/his heart is so broken right now. I ask You to walk through this fire with her/him. Give the comfort and the peace that only You can give. Amen”
“Lord, I ask you to bring comfort. Give peace in the midst of pain. Give hope in the midst of despair. I ask that You give me the strength needed to walk through this valley because I can’t do it alone. I can’t even imagine better days ahead. Help me to come out stronger on the other side, but for now, hold me tightly to in the dark. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Prayers for a Grieving Family
Do you know a family who is dealing with a terminal illness or death in their family? You know their world has been rocked and you are burdened for them. By being faithful in prayer, you are able to give them support.
“Dear God, this family is dealing with a devastating loss. Each one of them is hurting. I ask that you bind them together in love as they support each other through this. Help them to be open and supportive with one another and not turn away from each other.
Draw them close to You since we know that nothing can separate us from Your love. Walk this journey closely with them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lord, I can’t imagine getting the news this family just received. Their world has totally been turned upside down. They have many changes to deal with and big decisions to make as they deal with this sickness.
You are the God who heals, and I ask that you bring healing in this situation. Bring wisdom, peace, and comfort to this family. Help them be a light for You in the midst of this trial. In Christ’s name, I ask this, Amen.”
Prayers for a Grieving Friend
Whether your friend is going through a breakup or divorce, a miscarriage, a terminal health diagnosis, or the loss of a parent or sibling, you are grieved when those you care about are dealing with hardship. You wish you could take away their trial. While sometimes there are tangible ways to care for a grieving friend, one of the best things you can do is pray.
“Lord, my friend is going through such a dark time right now. I know that we have hope and strength in You, so I ask You to give her/him hope and strength now. Fill ___ with your peace and heal her/his broken heart. I ask you to bring the comfort that only comes from You. Amen.”
“Dear God, I’m devastated over what my friend is going through at this time. I understand that no one is immune to trials and that You can bring good out of the hard times. However, right now ___ is hurting. She/he needs Your comfort and strength.
Please help her/him to feel your presence every step of the way. Shower her/him with Your peace. Help ___ to trust You no matter what the days ahead look like. May you be her/his strength. I ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.”
Prayers for Grieving Parents
The loss of a child is an agonizing road for any parent to walk. I know this has been my darkest road of grief. Parents will not only grieve the death of a child, but they may be grieving a child who has totally walked away from their faith or out of their life. By praying for these parents, we can offer them comfort and hope.
“Dear Lord, You know the depths of grief that these parents are facing. You lost Your Son, too. They can’t see their way through this right now. Their grief seems insurmountable, but I know that You are with them in this valley of death.
You promised to strengthen and help them with Your righteous right hand. They need all the strength and help they can get. They need Your comfort and peace. Help them to cling tightly to You. May You alone be their hope and salvation. In Christ’s name, Amen.”
Prayers for a Grieving Widow
If you are married, it’s probably hard to imagine what life would be like without your spouse – without the love of your life. Your life would be turned upside down. Come alongside these friends in fervent prayer as they navigate this dark road. Also, give as much tangible support as you can with meals, childcare, etc.
“God, my heart is breaking for ___! I can’t even imagine losing my husband/wife right now, so I can’t understand what she/he is going through. However, I know that You do. You know the weight of this loss, and You know just how to comfort. You are with her/him right now in the dark.
I ask that ___ be able to feel Your comfort and strength right now. I ask that You carry her/him when she/he can’t go on alone. Bring peace that surpasses all human understanding. Help me to know how to pray and how to help. In Jesus’ name, I ask this, Amen.”
“Lord, my friend just lost the love of her/his life. She/he is so devastated and can’t even imagine going on without ___. Wrap her/him in your love. Surround her/him with your comfort and peace. Give strength when she/he falters as she/he battles this storm.
I know that in time mourning will be turned into joy, but it’s hard to see that right now. Walk every step of this grief journey with ___. May she/he hold tightly to You and grow in You through this. Help me to know how best to pray. Keep her/him on my heart often. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Are you looking for some tools and tips to boost your prayer life? If so, be sure to visit our Prayer Resources Library where you’ll find everything you need to become a powerful prayer warrior!
Unfortunately, you or someone you love will experience grief or loss of some kind. In those times, the Bible has the words of comfort needed.
Use these prayers for grieving and loss to ask God to comfort them through this trying time.
God’s words are reminders that He is with us through our pain and suffering. He loves us and walks with us in the darkness. In time, God will turn our mourning into joy.
Aimee is a mother of 6 who loves to encourage other moms. You can visit her at Mama Reflections where she offers spiritual encouragement as well as hacks for simple living and motherhood.
