5 Promises to Pray That Will Help When You are Grieving

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It seems like everywhere I look, friends and family . . . even complete strangers are overwhelmed by grief.

Covid and chaos have caused us to lose loved ones, jobs, and financial security. Isolation and emotional stress has broken relationships, worsened depression, and increased substance abuse.

The list of reasons people are grieving is growing by the day.

If you are grieving, you may be able to share your loss publicly making it possible for you to receive prayer and encouragement from the people around you.

But there are others who…

Are carrying around a personal private pain they’re unable to talk about . . . grief they don’t feel they can share.

Maybe you are one of those people. Maybe your heart is breaking and a small part of you is wondering “why” God would allow this horrible pain to touch your life.

Or maybe you know someone in that situation and you’re desperately trying to find a way to help them.

David wrote:

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

Psalm 34:18

I have to admit, although I’ve known this verse since I was a child, I didn’t always rely on it as TRUTH. Because doubt and uncertainty caused me to believe there were things that could break my heart and crush me beyond the point of rescue.

But God allowed me to experience a grief that put David’s words to the test in my life. I was crushed and alone . . . I imagine most people who experience grief feel they have to go through it alone. Grief is personal and comes with its own individualized timetable.

But our Heavenly Father is personal and individual too. He meets us in our unique circumstances and He met me in my grief.

How?

Through His Word and prayer.

As I spent time in His Word and turned to Him in surrendered prayer . . . I slowly began to heal and my trust in the Lord’s faithfulness to keep His promises grew as well.

Today, I’m sharing some of the verses and prayers God used to help me heal when I was grieving. Promises that held me through tears and reminded me of His sufficient grace, mercy, and love . . . promises that gave me hope for the future.

I’d love for you to join me. You can pray these prayers for yourself or place the name of someone you love and care for in the blanks as you pray with me.

Promises to Pray That Will Help When You are Grieving

He heals the brokenhearted and
bandages their wounds.

How great is our Lord! His power is absolute!
His understanding is beyond comprehension!

Psalm 147:3,5

Father, when my heart is broken, I trust You to be my Healer. I believe You will give me (my loved one) everything I need one day at a time.

I really hate this situation and I believe You hate it too. Pain was not Your will for Your children . . . we are sinful people in a sinful world. Thank you for Your love for us and for being great in power and understanding. Thank you for sending Jesus to give us a relationship that supplies us with everything we need to heal. I surrender my grief (__________’s grief) to You. Please help me to focus on You as You provide for us throughout this day.

He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way.
    He was despised, and we did not care.
Yet it was our weaknesses He carried;
    it was our sorrows that weighed Him down.

Isaiah 53:3–4a

Jesus, You experienced grief. You wept over the death of Your friend and in anticipation of Your own suffering and death . . . even though You knew (You know) that death is not the end for those who place their trust in You.

Thank you for carrying our weaknesses, failures, and sins to the cross. Thank you for experiencing pain and sorrow. You “understand our weaknesses. [You] were tempted in every way that we are, but [You] did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

Jesus, please walk with me (__________) through this grief and increase my faith as I place my hope in You.

Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice.

Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Psalm 55:17,22

Father, thank you for listening to my prayers. You know my voice and even when I can’t put my prayers into words, You hear the cries of my heart. So, I bring You this burden. I lay this grief at Your feet trusting that You will hold me (__________). I believe You will keep me from slipping and falling into doubt and fear. Please fill me (__________) with Your Spirit and grant me (__________) Your peace.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

Revelations 21:4

Father, I love this promise of hope for the future. No more death or sorrow or crying or pain. That is the future You promise Your children. No more tears of grief or brokenness.

You are making everything new. (Revelation 21:5) And You promise these words are true and trustworthy. With Your help, I hold Your Word close to my heart. You, Lord, are the One who fills my future with hope and promise. Thanks and praise.

 I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.

Romans 8:38

Oh, Father, how I love this promise. Nothing can separate Your children from Your perfect unfailing love. Not death or pain, problems or failures, fear, worry, or heartbreaking grief. Not even the enemy himself can remove us from Your loving care and compassion.

Thank you! I surrender this grief to You. The life, death, and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus, is the proof of Your unconquerable love. You surround us with a love so great it calms our fear, dries our tears, and assures our future.

Thank you, Father! You promise me a future filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) You are the source of my hope for the future . . . for healing from grief and pain because Your Word promises “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)

I come to You, in Jesus’ name and I ask that You might answer my prayer that I might live each day for Your glory. Amen.

Thank you so much for praying with me. I am asking the Lord to be with you when you are grieving and give you everything you need. I have experienced His healing grace and pray that He will allow you to heal and be blessed with His perfect peace and joy.

God bless you!

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