seeking comfort in the midst of grief and loss

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To begin, find a space where you can be still and focus.

Then, follow the prompts below. When you reflect on scripture, feel free to look up a passage of your own or use the verses provided for you. Personalize as you will.

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Thanksgiving: Offer thanks to God. What has He provided for you today? Thank Him for sending the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter.

Praise: Heavenly Father, you are my comfort, my Wonderful Counselor, my Helper. You are present with me in my grief and loss. You are my good Father who loves and provides all I need, who binds broken hearts, who heals and restores and brings new life.   

Reflect on Scripture: Psalm 91:1-4 (NIV); Mark 14:32-36 (NIV)

¹ Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

³ Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

³² They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” ³³ He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. ³⁴ “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”

³⁵ Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. ³⁶ “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

The Lord’s Prayer: Walk through the prompts below, offering God your responses.

Help me submit to you, Father. I pray your will be done in my life and on earth as it is in heaven.

Lord, thank you for your comfort and help when the world is too much. When I am sorrowful, distressed, troubled, or overwhelmed, may I seek You—as Jesus did—and find comfort in your presence. Please be my refuge. Help me face hard days and endure difficult losses, even when I want to give up. Be my strength. Send others to pray for me when I cannot muster the strength to pray for myself.

Your will be done, Lord, in my life. Give me hope in You.

Father, this season is full of so much loss and missed expectations. I am grieving: _____________________________.

Please comfort me as I endure the world’s troubles. Thank you that you have overcome the world.   

Today, I have need. Please provide: _____________________________. Thank you for being a good Father who cares for his children and provides all they need.

I confess I am a sinner. Please forgive me for my sin of: _____________________________.

Please help me forgive those who have sinned against me. Lord, because you have forgiven me, help me forgive: _____________________________ for _____________________________. Thank you for forgiving my sins and empowering me to forgive others as you forgive me.

Thank you for delivering me from evil. Today, I ask you to deliver me from _____________________________ for you are _____________________________.

May you be glorified in my life today and forevermore.

Thank you for being my faithful refuge and Savior. Lord, thank you for understanding how I feel, that you are acquainted with grief and were known as a Man of Sorrows. Thank you for showing me what to do when the world is too much—to pray—and for meeting me in those prayers and giving me what I need.

Neighbor Prayer: Spend a moment praying on behalf of any neighbors God lays on your heart.

Suggested Neighbor Prayer for: the grieving

Father, please comfort all who have suffered loss in this time. Meet them in their distress and sorrow, and give them comfort and hope. Touch the deepest parts of their hearts, those places only you can see and know, and bind their hearts. Help them see as you do so they can endure, trusting your will.

Comfort those who have lost loved ones, coming-of-age experiences, jobs, relationships, regular rhythms and routines, safety, family gatherings, faith, hope, or peace. Restore to them faith and hope in you, peace in your presence, and bring new life.

When those who grieve don’t know what they need, Lord, you do. Please give them what they need in your mercy and grace and love. Thank you, Father.

Say special prayers for the grieving who are not saved and don’t know God’s comfort and peace, that Jesus would reveal Himself to them and save them.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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If you would like to worship in song, here is a link to Shane & Shane’s acoustic rendition of Be Thou My Vision. Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of all.