A Grief Prayer Written For You

Abba Father,

My heartache is intense. Out of habit, I started to call mom the other day. Except mom is gone from this earth.

I have never felt this level of sadness before. I am sad from the time I wake up until I lay down at night. Tears wash my face often. Grief has enveloped me like a dark cloud that hides the sun.

Lord, I miss the morning phone chats and visits mom and I shared. They were always sprinkled with her unconditional love, warm smile, laughter, wisdom, advice, and encouraging words. I long for our impromptu shopping trips, lunch and dinner dates, and our vacations together. I can’t imagine the holiday season without her.

I still have my dad, but really, he’s already gone. Alzheimer’s took him from me. He doesn’t understand that mom has died. I need to make some tough decisions about his care.

Help me, Father. My load is too heavy. I am exhausted. My spirit is crushed.

Honestly, in my humanity I am overwhelmed by loss, struggling to find peace in this storm. I have no joy, just sorrow. This chapter of my life is nearly unbearable. How do I go on without the two people who poured into me and helped shape who I am? They are a part of my foundation.

But Lord, you are my unshakable foundation. The rock on which I stand. You are my refuge, my source of strength in a storm. So much has changed, but you are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. (Psalm 62:2) (Psalm 46:1) (Hebrews 13:8)

I am eternally grateful for my relationship with you, Father. I choose to stay connected to you so that you will stay close to me. (1 Cor. 8:3) (James 4:8)

Guard my mind from the devil, who is whispering, ‘where is your God in all of this?’ Help me to stand firm in my faith in you. (1 Peter 5:8-9)

I believe Lord, that you are sovereign. (Psalm 103:19)

God, I know that you are omniscient. You know my every thought and feeling before I think and feel it. You know my heart. (Psalm 139:1-4)

I’m hanging on to your promise that you are close to the broken-hearted and will bind up my wounds. (Psalm 147:3) Hold me close, now.

Holy Comforter, heal my deepest hurt.

God, I know that your Word says that there is a time to be born and a time to die. Our days are numbered. (Ecclesiastes 3:2)

Not one of us will escape the appointed time of our death. (Job 14:5)

Jesus, I’m thankful that when you knocked, mom heard your voice and opened the door of her heart and you entered in. (Rev. 3:20) I am grateful that she followed you from that moment on. I know that she believed every sentence of your Word - from beginning to end. What an example she set for me!

I trust your promise that “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” I can only imagine mom’s joy when she came into your presence! Hallelujah! What a Savior! (2 Cor. 5:8)

Abba Father, Hold my right hand, guide my steps now and in the days to come.

With my whole heart I believe you are with me in this circumstance now and that you are already in my tomorrow.

Thank you, Lord, for going before me. (Duet. 31:8)

Keep me in your perfect peace. (John 14:26)

In the powerful name of Jesus Christ, I ask and trust for these things.

Amen