by Patti Normile
Deep grief follows dramatic losses. The death of a dear one wrenches our hearts. An accident robs us of physical ability. Acts of terrorism blot our view of the future. As insurmountable as these obstacles seem, we can move through the grief to renewed hope. Prayer can be our guide through grief.
Prayer is the way. Whatever the loss that plunges us into grief, we have a way to begin our journey to peace and wholeness. That way is through prayer.
We offer you these prayers for your healing. Tailor them to confront the source of grief in your life. Pray them with an open heart.
A prayer for letting go.
Loving God, let me not cling to [Name] whom I have lost. [Name] was your gift to me in this life. I thank you and praise you for that wondrous gift. I have loved her/him in this life and will love her/him forever, but now I choose to release [Name] to your love and your eternity. I know I cannot release her/him to you in this one prayer. Give me the perseverance to continually offer my dear one totally to you so that I may continue to live fully the life you give to me each day. Amen.
A prayer of angry grief.
You know my fury, Lord! [Name] did not deserve to end life like this! We don’t deserve to be without her/him! My hurt and my anger seethe within me! I don’t know how to escape its power except by turning to you. Help me, Lord! Help me shed the burden of this overwhelming anger. I ask for your grace to shape my anger into peace of body, mind, and spirit. Amen.
A prayer of sadness.
God of joy and life, hear my prayer. Sadness overwhelms me. I fear I may never feel your joy again. Darkness surrounds me. Please come to me and lighten the darkness of my heart. My head knows that sadness will not change the circumstances of this day. My heart aches for what cannot be. Show me a way beyond this smothering sadness. Lead me to new life. Amen.
A prayer for beginning again.
Lord, I think it’s time for you and me to begin my new life. I know that from time to time, I’ll return to anger and sadness over my great loss, but you have shown me a future, a future with you. As I begin life again, send me those who will encourage me to live fully. Link me with those who may need my help to weather their own losses. I don’t begin alone. I begin with wonderful memories of the past and great hope for the future. I begin with your Holy Spirit to guide my steps. Glory and praise to you, O God. Amen.
A Resurrection prayer.
Lord of the Resurrection, I give you thanks and praise for helping me to rise from the tomb of my grief. My hope and energy were buried with my loss. Now they rise to show me how to live again. Show me the way to new life. Show me the way to love again. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Amen.
Excerpt taken from Prayers That Bring Comfort in Times of Grief CareNote.
