5 Prayers for a Grieving Heart

Finding words for prayer while navigating loss or incomprehensible situations may seem impossible. If you are struggling to put words to your pain, or you are struggling to know the right thing to say in the face of your sorrow, we invite you to turn to Scripture and to prayerfully consider how one or more of these short prayers might be helpful to you.

Voice Your Grief (Based on Psalm 31:9; Psalm 56:8)
Lord, please have mercy on me for I am heartbroken and in distress. Tears blur my vision, and I feel like my body and soul are withering away to nothing. I come to you and don't even know what to ask, but I bring my grief and my sorrow to you because you keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle and none of my tears have gone unnoticed by you. Whenever I pray to you, you always listen so please hear my prayer today. Amen.

Ask for Comfort (Based on Matthew 5:4; 6:13)
God, I'm mourning and I am asking that you send me your comfort. Wrap your arms around me and hold me close so that I can know your presence. Use me as a vessel to bring your comfort to those around me. These are difficult times so I'd ask that you would protect us from words spoken or actions done in the spur of the moment that may later cause us regret. Hold us in the palm of your hand and guard us in your peace. Amen.

Ask for Healing (Based on Psalm 147:3)
Father God, come to my aid – and please come quickly! Replace the anguish I now feel with your peace. I come before you today and ask that you heal my broken heart and bind up my wounds. Your promises have never failed, and you have always shown yourself to be a compassionate and merciful God. Show me your mercy today. Amen.

Ask for Peace (Based on John 14:1, 27; Philippians 4:7)
Jesus, you told your followers, "Do not let your hearts be troubled...Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you." I need your promised peace, God – that peace that transcends all understanding. Give me peace and a quiet mind when I lay down to sleep so that I can fully rest in You. Guard my heart and my mind each day, keeping my anxious thoughts from derailing my commitment to trust in you. Amen

Ask for Hope (Based on Psalm 27:13; 34:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:13)
Lord, your Word says you are close to the brokenhearted and that you rescue those whose spirits are crushed. I pray you will be near to me and rescue me. Help me to grieve like one who intimately knows your goodness and relentlessly holds onto hope in your plans even though I do not know them. Help me believe that things will get better and live in expectation that I will see your goodness on display. Amen.

If you'd like someone to pray for you, or you just want to talk, please reach out. We're here to help.