Experiencing seasons of loss, either personal or professional, is a part of life. Grieving is a natural and healthy response, but going through it is never easy. It's equally hard to watch a friend and someone we care about deeply struggle with the heartache of loss. Thankfully, God has given us a unique way to minister to others in these times—intercession, or lifting up prayers on behalf of another person. Prayer for those grieving can offer comfort and strength when our words are few and the pain is big.
Our Heavenly Father has promised:
To hear our cries - In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. (Psalm 18:6)
To act on our behalf - The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17)
I've found that offering to pray with for a friend in moments of grief can provide them with a sense of company and comfort, easing their spirit right away. Lifting their burden up before God is a way to acknowledge His sovereignty in their lives, and invites Him to work for their good in the situation. As the writer of Hebrews instructs: Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
Prayer for a grieving friend, whether in person or not, is a meaningful way to show concern and support. Speaking simply from the heart is always best. Declaring truths about God turns our hearts toward Him, and leads us to make requests boldly and expectantly. Here are 10 prayers prayers for a friend who is grieving:
I lift up my friend who is mourning a loved one. I ask that You would bring her comfort in the midst of this life-shaking event. Thank you for Your promise to walk with and even carry her as she travels through the darkness of grief. Let her not be overcome with sadness, as those who have no hope, but to be strengthened by an awareness of Your presence.
Give her wisdom to make decisions and to handle any issues that may arise as arrangements are made and events take place. Protect her heart and mind. I pray a sense of calm would take hold, even while emotions around her run high, and that the peace you give her would overflow onto those nearby.
Father, You know just what will minister the most to my friend spiritually and emotionally right now. Gently lead her to find the right balance of being alone and being with others. Speak to her through Scripture. Show her Your love through the words and actions of someone else. Help her find moments of solace in the natural world You've created.
Thank You for being the God of all comfort, the One who holds us in Your hand. It says in Your Word that one day there will be no more death. But for now, I praise You for holding my friend close and giving her rest.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.
Dear Heavenly Father, I lift up [friend/loved one's name] to You in their time of deep sorrow. Surround them with Your comforting presence, and may Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard their heart and mind in Christ Jesus. In the midst of grief, grant them solace and the assurance of Your love.
3. God of All Comfort
Lord, we trust that You are the God of all comfort, and we lean on Your promises. May [friend/loved one's name] find strength and healing in You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. Grant them the strength to endure this season of grief and fill their heart with hope for a brighter tomorrow. May Your presence be a source of solace, and may they find comfort in Your promises of eternal life.Provide strength in their times of need, wipe away their tears, and grant them comfort throughout this challenging journey. Stay by their side, for they cannot do this alone. We need You every moment Lord. Amen.
Lord, I pray for my friend who has lost so much. Father, please meet him in this difficult, even scary place, for You are his shelter in the storm. Help him to release any feelings of shock, anger, or confusion to You, and shield his heart so that bitterness would not take root.
Thank You for being our Provider, and that You already know all our greatest needs. Let Him turn to You to supply everything he lacks, and to grow in trust as he sees You respond. I ask that You would care for him physically, in very practical ways. Grant him emotional support through quiet time with You, and through family and friends.
Lead him into Your Word, where he will find encouragement and hope for his spirit. Amid all the advice he might receive, give him discernment to recognize Your still, small whisper. I lift up praise, God, for Your promise that we have a hope and a future. Let my friend embrace this truth now, so that he can rest in You as he waits for what's next.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
5. For Peace in the Midst of Loss
Father God, The pain and heartache is overwhelming. Your Word reminds me in Psalm 34:18 that "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Ifeel broken and crushed, Lord, and I need Your presence. Please draw near to me, as Your promise assures, and grant me the peace that surpasses all understanding, as mentioned in Philippians 4:7. Help me to cast my anxieties on You, as 1 Peter 5:7 encourages, knowing that You care for me.
Though I may not understand why this pain has come, I trust in Your sovereignty and cling to Your promise in Isaiah 41:10 that says, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Grant me the peace that comes from knowing You are with me, strengthening me, and upholding me. In the midst of this darkness, may Your light shine, and may Your peace be my anchor. Amen.
Lord, I come before You with a heavy heart, lifting up my dear friend [friend's name] who has lost their beloved spouse. In this time of profound grief and emptiness, I pray for Your comforting presence to surround them.
Lord, You are the God of all comfort, as we read in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, and I ask that You would pour out Your abundant comfort upon [friend's name]. Be near to them in their loneliness, and may Your love envelop them, reminding them that they are never truly alone.
Grant [friend's name] the strength to face each day and the courage to navigate this new chapter in their life. In their moments of sorrow, may Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard their heart and mind, as promised in Philippians 4:7.
Father, provide them with a support system of friends and loved ones who can offer comfort and companionship during this challenging time. Help [friend's name] find solace in Your Word and in the precious memories of their spouse.
May Your grace sustain them, and may the hope of the resurrection through Jesus Christ bring assurance of an eternal reunion one day.
In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Lamentations 3:22-23 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Romans 8:37-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
7. For Peace in Times of Loss and Pain
Heavenly Father, In the depth of our pain and loss, we turn to Your Word for solace and strength. You remind us in Psalm 23:4 that even in the valley of the shadow of death, we need not fear, for You are with us. Your rod and staff, they comfort us.
Lord, we feel the weight of grief and pain pressing down on us, but we know that Your comfort is near. In Isaiah 43:2, You promise, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you."
I pray for Your presence to be our refuge and fortress, as Psalm 91:2 declares, "I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"
May Your Word be a balm to my wounded soul, bringing Your peace that transcends all understanding, as promised in Philippians 4:7. I place my trust in You, my Rock and Redeemer, knowing that You will carry me through this time of loss and pain. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
I come before You with a heavy and grieving heart, bringing my dear friend [friend's name] before Your loving presence. Lord, we cannot comprehend the depth of their pain as they have experienced the unimaginable loss of their precious child.
In this time of overwhelming sorrow, I pray for Your divine comfort and solace to surround [friend's name]. Be near to them, Lord, for You are close to the brokenhearted, as we are reminded in Psalm 34:18. Embrace them with Your loving arms and grant them the strength to endure this unimaginable loss.
We find hope in Your promise that You are near to those who call upon You in their distress, as stated in Psalm 145:18. May [friend's name] feel Your presence and experience Your peace that surpasses all understanding, as described in Philippians 4:7.
Lord, provide [friend's name] with a support system of loving friends and family who can offer comfort and companionship during this dark time. Surround them with people who will listen, pray, and share their burdens.
Help [friend's name] navigate the complex emotions that come with this loss, and grant them the grace to process their grief in their own time and way. May they find moments of solace in the precious memories they shared with their child.
We also pray for the assurance of eternal life through Jesus Christ, which offers hope of a future reunion with their child in Your presence.
Lord, we trust that Your love and compassion are unfailing. Pour out Your mercy upon [friend's name], and grant them the strength to face each day. We ask all these things in the name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.
Dear Lord, You are the God of healing, and today, I bring before You those who are burdened with sorrow and grief over the loss of a loved one or friend. I ask, Jesus, that they find solace and rest for their weary hearts and broken spirits in You.
May Your peace, the kind that only You can provide, guard their hearts and minds as they navigate this season of mourning. I pray for Your healing touch to mend their wounds and for Your joy to replace their sorrow.
Guide them beside tranquil waters, where the turbulent currents of grief can be stilled. May Your presence bring refreshment to their souls and renew their strength.
In the name of Jesus, I offer this prayer, trusting in Your compassionate love. Amen.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
10. For Healing and Solace
Gracious God, My heart is heavy with sorrow for my friend, but I am also deeply saddened for their family and friends who are profoundly affected by this heart-wrenching situation. Lord, as these family members grapple with their own pain and suffering, please reassure them of Your presence, offering comfort in their distress.
In moments when they are overwhelmed by sadness and fear, remind them that You neither slumber nor nap. You are ever-vigilant and constantly available to provide the strength they require. You are the sole source of genuine healing and recovery.
As they tirelessly offer practical care and faithfully serve, grant them resilience in times of discouragement. When they lift their eyes to You, instill in them the awareness of Your boundless love. May they find solace in the empowering presence of Your Spirit, available to them at every moment of each day.
We pray all this in Your name, Lord. Amen.
It can be hard to know what to say to a friend who is mourning a loss. We want to bless them and not burden them during such a period. I've been grateful for the examples in Scripture of intercessory prayers from Godly people. Like King David, the Apostle Paul, and many others, we can reach out to others by reaching up, asking God to provide His healing touch.
Over the years, I've discovered some hints for effective prayer with someone:
Let Scripture guide what you say, claiming God's truths and promises.
Invite them to pray out loud in their own words so they can engage in the process.
Don't be afraid of silence—a moment of reflection can yield important insights.
Follow-up with them, making sure they know you care and want to stay connected.
Heather Adams is an author, speaker, and singer living in Connecticut. Heather’s passion is to equip and encourage believers to seek more of God’s truth and to experience more of His joy each day. Her book, Bow Down: The Heart of a True Worshipper is a practical, 30-day devotional about worship based on the writings of King David. Heather's blog, Worship Walk Ministries, offers weekly Scripture passages and insights to ponder. A native New Englander, Heather is settling into her home in the South, trying out local foods and watching for the alligators that live nearby!
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