Prayer For A Loved One Who Died
Jesus, we seem to face far too much loss these days. In times like those, we choose to rest our heads on your sacred shoulders. Weep alongside. Lift our heads. Rejuvenate our vision. Bring us back to a place of play. Of wonder. This world is dark, but we recognize right now, in this moment, that You are glorious light. Please, please shine down on us so we can see You at work. Replace our mourning with dancing. Hold our hands, our hearts, our dreams. Amen.
Lord, we pray for those who mourn, for parents and children, friends and neighbors. Be gentle with them in their grief. Show them the depths of your love, a glimpse of the kingdom of heaven. Spare them the torment of guilt and despair. Be with them as they weep beside the empty tomb of our risen savior, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, who brought us to birth, and in whose arms we die, in our grief and shock, contain and comfort us; embrace us with your love, give us hope in our confusion and grace to let go into new life; through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Father, you know our hearts and share our sorrows. We are hurt by our parting from those whom we loved: when we are angry at the loss we have sustained, when we long for words of comfort, yet find them hard to hear, turn our grief to truer living, our affliction to firmer hope in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Jesus, please be with my friend reading this prayer. You know every wound, every joy, every fear, every dream. Heal old wounds. Heal new wounds. Rejoice alongside. Alleviate every haunting fear. Fulfill God-sized dreams in Your timing (and help us be patient in the waiting). Help us all to see the power of Your resurrection this month. Give us eyes to see where new life springs in our hearts. Rejuvenate when we're weak. We need You Jesus. Amen.
Our Father,
Thank You for Your Word that gives comfort. Our loved ones' hearts are broken today. They are crushed with the disappointment of losing their beloved. You have said that You are close to the broken-hearted and that You save those who are crushed in spirit. May Your presence and help be very present in their time of need, felt tangibly by each one.
There is little that we can say or do to ease their pain, so we are coming to You. We know You do not numb their pain, for their grief is real and an essential part of processing great loss. Yet, we boldly ask that as they walk through the valley of the shadow of death, that they would sense that they are not walking alone. You are walking with them as You promised, so they have nothing to fear.
I pray that fear would not take root in their grieving. Instead, we ask that the peace of Heaven would flood their souls. Give them images of their beloved resting in Your arms. And help them to see that they can rest there too, for You care deeply for them.
Thank You that You treasure each tear they shed. Your Word tells us that tears are precious to You and that You catch each one that falls. May those who are grieving rest assured that You are doing that now in a very real way.
You have promised to work all things out for good for those who love You and take up Your calling upon their lives. We trust that You will work this sad loss out for good. Somehow in Your amazing wisdom and compassion, You will allow great things to come of this tragedy. We don't know how or when, but we are taking You at Your word, for we know You do not lie or stretch the truth. We can count on every word You have uttered each word is wholly dependable and true.
Jesus came to love the world, not to condemn. May His love flood each soul. May any regrets be washed away and only happy memories abide with them. Draw the family together in close unity as they help each other and talk with each other about their grief. Remind them that this is not all there is; that there is an eternity that they can enjoy together once again, so much better than this, if we simply believe the love You have for us.
We entrust the spirit of this loved one to You. You are good. We know this to be true. May Your name be appreciated, exalted, and praised even in the midst of sorrow and suffering.
In Jesus' Name
Amen
I commend you, my dear [name] to almighty God, and entrust you to your Creator.
May you rest in the arms of the Lord who formed you from the dust of the earth.
May holy Mary, the angels, and all the saints welcome you now that you have gone forth from this life.
May Christ who was crucified for you, bring you freedom and peace.
May Christ who died for you admit you into his garden of paradise.
May Christ, the true Shepherd, embrace you as one of his flock.
May he forgive all your sins and set you among those he has chosen.
May you see your Redeemer face to face and enjoy the vision of God, forever.
Lord Jesus, our Redeemer, You willingly gave Yourself up to death so that all people might be saved and pass from death into a new life. Listen to our prayers; look with love on Your people who mourn and pray for their dead brother/sister.
Lord Jesus, You alone are holy and compassionate; forgive our brother/sister his/her sins.
By dying You opened the gates of life for those who believe in You; do not let Your brother/sister be parted from You, but by Your glorious power give him/her light, joy, and peace in heaven where You live for ever and ever. Amen.