Prayers for Grief

Use these prayers for grief to help yourself or a grieving friend get through their season of loss.

Grief comes in all shapes and sizes. We usually associate grieving with the loss of a loved one, but grieving can come in all forms. Any loss. We can grieve from the loss of a beloved pet, a career, a close friendship, financial loss, and even trauma can cause grief.

What Does The Bible Say About Grief?

We need a place to turn to when dealing with grief or any great loss. The Bible is a great place for our hearts to find shelter from the pain and a safe place to process grief.

Many people in the Bible had to walk through great loss.

Mary and Martha, close friends of Jesus, had their brother, Lazarus, pass away. Before he died, they wrote to Jesus to let him know his beloved friend was sick and to please come quickly. They knew Jesus could heal him. Jesus waited. Lazarus died.

Imagine the waiting turned to despair, as they watch their brother get sick and die. They knew Jesus well and Jesus waited. Confused. Grief-stricken at the loss of their brother.

But God had a plan. Read the miraculous story of Lazarus being brought back to life by Jesus from the Gospel According to John (11:1–45).

God had a plan for Lazarus and his sisters, and He has a plan for your great loss as well.

What Is A Good Bible Verse For Someone Who Has Lost A Loved One?

The Bible is a huge resource we can tap into for comfort for the brokenhearted. We can offer meals, our time, our energy, our help, and just ourselves as we sit and offer God to our grieving friends. But, the greatest thing we can offer is God’s Word and prayers for grief.

Use these Bible verses to comfort a grieving friend:

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 

This verse offers such a great reminder that God holds us close as we cry and grieve our great loss. And when we are grieving it’s nice to know someone can relate, understand and help us process through the loss.

“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 

Over and over the Bible says God comforts us in our hard times. And this verse is another reminder of that truth. God stands ready to comfort us in our deep pain. He is here with His arms wide open and ready to hold us and see us through our darkest of days.

What Can I Say Instead Of Sorry For Your Loss?

There is no right or wrong way to grieve really. What grieving looks like for me may not be how you process grief. And that’s okay. So when reaching out to offer comfort to family and friends who are grieving, be mindful that the way they grieve may be different than how you would grieve.

Things To Say To A Grieving Friend Or Family Member

• I am here for you and praying for you. (Read the prayers for the grieving below)
• I am so sorry you have to walk through this.
• You have the love and support of your close friends and loved ones.
• I’m praying for peace, healing, and comfort as your grieve.
• I’m at the grocery store, what are some things I can pick up and drop off for you real quick?
• I’ve hired someone to mow your grass for you this month so you don’t have to worry about it. (May want to ask first.)
• I’ve hired a maid to come out once a week to help you clean up a little. (May want to ask first.)
• Here is a gift card to your favorite restaurant in town.
• Here is a gift card to DoorDash, Uber Eats, or their favorite grocery delivery service.
• Could I watch your kids for a few hours so you can rest?
• Want to go out for a lunch date? Girls’ night out? My treat!
• May I come over and just sit with you? We don’t have to talk. I’ll bring the coffee.

Prayers For Grief

How Do You Pray For Someone Who Lost A Loved One?

Prayer is so underrated. Personally, I’m not sure of any greater love than to seek our Heavenly Father for comfort on behalf of a friend or family member in need.

Use these prayers for grief as you pray for your friends or family members.

Prayer For Comfort

Heavenly Father, I lift my friend/family to you in prayer. I ask that you would surround them in your peace and comfort as they walk and try to maneuver through this great pain and loss. I pray you to wrap them in your loving arms and let them know and feel you are so very close during all of this. Be their strength. Be their guide. Give them wisdom. Help them choose you in every moment as they grieve and heal from this. By your power, Christ conquered death and the enemy! I pray you will give my friend/family the blessing of your peace and your joy amid their grief. Jesus died and rose again and is sitting at your right hand, interceding for your people. Please intercede for my friend/family. Your Word says that Jesus sings over us and loves us more than we can ever imagine. It also says you are near the broken-hearted. I ask that you would not only remind my friend/family of all this but bring comfort to their weary heart. I thank you for them and their life. Help them see the good in every day. Help them see you in this deep pain. We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Grief and Sadness

Dear God, you know my friend’s (or family member’s) heart. You know the sadness that overwhelmingly surrounds them. You recognize how their grief has pushed all other emotions aside and weighs heavily on them in this season of pain. See them, Lord. Hear them. Comfort their broken hearts. Please help them to accept the loss they are facing. Remove any anger and replace it with a greater acceptance of your will. I pray for your healing of their deep sadness and grief that holds them captive in this moment. Help me to see the good in their life and refocus their attention on the loved ones they still have with them. Bless them with more of You. Guide them to find new ways to cope with loss that will renew their thoughts and spirit. Surround them with your peace that passes all understanding. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer For Mercy In Hard Times

Lord, you are our God of love and mercy, I lift up my friend/family to you. Embrace them with your mercy as their hearts overflow with grief, unanswered questions, and such a sense of loss. Grant them space to express their tears, pain, and confusion. Bring into their lives the right people who can walk them through the process of healing from their great loss. Open their ears and hearts to your truth, comfort, and to your peace. Hold them close through the coming days, weeks, months, and even years. Shower them in your mercy and protect them as they grieve and heal. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Prayer For Healing

Dear Heavenly Father, You are our God and Savior. You comfort us in and out of every season. You are our great healer. I pray for my friend/family member as they walk through this great pain. I ask that you surround them with your peace and comfort. That you’d hold them so very close. Bring them a great understanding and a deeper love for you as they walk this out. Bring healing to their mind, body, and soul. Calm the flames of their great grief. Heal them, Lord, like only You can heal. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer For Peace

Dear Lord, my friend/family member is hurting deeply right now. A pain I may not truly understand. I only know that You are the only one who can take all of their broken pieces and make them whole again. And that’s what we pray for you today. Walk my friend through your process of healing and renew them in you. Surround them with your peace, wisdom and comfort as they walk this dark road. Help them to cling to you and your word as they heal. Remind them of the peace you offer every minute of their lives. Hold them tight in your gentle peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Which prayers for grief seem to help you and your friends the most? Let us know in the comments below how you like to pray for your grieving friend.