5 Prayers for Someone Who Has Recently Lost a Loved One
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- Published May 09, 2024
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18).
Losing a loved one is very difficult. For any of us who have lost a loved one, we know how painful it can be. While some people heal faster than others, nobody can tell someone how to feel. Personally, my mother passed away almost eight years ago, and I still grieve. It is best not to overlook someone's feelings or grief.
Many people have not lost a loved one yet, but the day will come. All of us will face death one day; it is unavoidable. It is best to be prepared ahead of time in order to face the death of our loved ones as well as we need to know how to help others when their loved ones pass away. If you know someone who recently had a loved one pass away, here are five prayers for them.
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1. A Prayer for Comfort
Slide 1 of 5"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
One prayer for someone who recently lost a loved one is to pray for their comfort. Often, we do not think of someone's comfort after their loved one passes away. Instead, we normally think only of trying to make them feel better. Unfortunately, sometimes, you can do nothing to help someone feel better. It might be praying is the best thing you can do for them right now and a great thing to pray for is their comfort.
A prayer for their comfort could be, "Dear Lord, please bless my friend with your comfort. They have recently had a loved one pass away, and they need your comfort and your presence. Things will be hard for them for a while, and they need your help. I know you can do all things, Lord. Please give them comfort. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
Feel free to add personal touches and include specifics as to what they need comfort for. You know your friend and what they need in their time of grief.
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2. A Prayer for Peace
Slide 2 of 5"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27).
A second prayer for someone who recently lost a loved one is a prayer for peace. After facing the death of a loved one, normally individuals are feeling overwhelmed, sad, and crestfallen. The last thing that is happening in their hearts is peace. This is why it is crucial for you to pray for their peace. Peace is something that is not easy to come by in a person's life after they have witnessed the death of a loved one.
You can be the hands and feet of Jesus by praying for them. A sample prayer for peace could be, "Dear Jesus, please give my friend peace. She/he recently lost a loved one and they are feeling very depressed. Amid their pain, please give them peace, Lord. There is nothing greater in the world than your peace. Please bring it into my friend's heart today. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
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3. A Prayer for Knowing it Is Okay to Grieve
Slide 3 of 5"So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy" (John 16:22).
A third prayer for someone who recently lost a loved one is a prayer for knowing it is okay to grieve. Many people try to push people into the healing process too early. It is important to note that grief does not have a timeline. Grief can affect any of us for an undetermined amount of time. This is why we must not assume someone will be better in a few days.
Grief is a process, and it might last their entire life. After a loved one has passed, your friend might never be the same again. I know after my mother passed that, I'm not the same person I once was. Don't expect your friend to be the same either. Grief can change a person, and it is best to continue to be there for them even when it is hard.
If you want to help your friend, you can pray for them to know that it is okay to grieve. A sample prayer could be, "Dear Lord, please help my friend know that it is okay to grieve. Help them to know that it is okay to take all the time that they need. There is no recovery timeline when it comes to grieving. Please help my friend know this. Help her/him to know that I am always here for them and that Your love is always with them. Thank you, Lord. Amen."
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4. A Prayer for Love
Slide 4 of 5"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).
A fourth prayer for someone who recently lost a loved one is a prayer for love. While this might sound a bit strange at first, it is actually a very important prayer to pray at these times. Individuals tend to feel very alone after the passing of a loved one. It is best to help this individual to know that they are loved. You can do this by extending love in your actions and words as well as praying for them.
Love is something we all need in our lives, especially when going through a dark time. Having love in our lives helps the darkness not be as dark. Love is the light that illuminates our souls and gives us lasting hope. Praying for your friend will help them know they are loved as well as feel they are loved. Never underestimate what your prayers can do and the power of the Lord.
Anyone who has lost someone needs to be reminded of love and hope. A sample prayer for love could be, "Dear Jesus, please surround my friend with your love. They are feeling very alone and without hope. They might even be feeling really depressed or hurt. Please, Lord, surround them with your love. Bless them by reminding them that they are never alone and that you are never far away. I ask this in Your Name, Lord. Amen."
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5. A Prayer for Strength
Slide 5 of 5"So 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" (Isaiah 41:10)
A fifth prayer for someone who recently lost a loved one is a prayer for strength. After the death of a loved one, it is very difficult to have the strength to carry on with normal life. It can be hard to understand if a person has never personally experienced this. If you have never experienced the death of a loved one, try to do your best to be there for your friend even if you cannot relate to it. Be helpful to them and choose to include them in your prayers.
Prayers can help our friends in many ways, which is why we should never overlook it. Through praying for our friends, we can help them be supported, loved, and cared for. Prayer has been downplayed for a long time, but it doesn't need to be anymore. After a traumatic event, such as the death of a loved one, your friend needs you. Be there for them in person, as well as be active in prayer for them.
A prayer for strength could be, "Dear Jesus, please help my friend as they are very weak and overcome with sadness. Please give them strength and fill their heart with hope. Only you can give us strength, Lord, and my friend really needs strength right now. Bless them with the strength to get out of bed in the morning and the strength to do their normal activities. They have a long journey ahead of them, Jesus, and they need your strength. Thank you for all that You do. In Your Name, I pray, Amen."
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