Life isn’t always smooth sailing. Ecclesiastes 3 tells us the same there is a time for everything. A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. Right now, many are grieving losing their loved ones. Many are in sorrow for losing their jobs their families solely rely on. Many are uncertain whether they will have something to feed their family today. Many are trapped in silent battles no one is aware of. Most of us are barely surviving today.
During these trying times, hope is what people are looking for, a light at the end of their dark tunnel. This prayer will help us find the light of comfort in our grief.
Prayer for those in grief
Abba Father, You are the God who sees. You see me in my affliction. Father, You are my Shepherd. You make me lie down in green pastures, lead me to still waters, and restore my weary soul. Father, You are the God who provides. You fill me with Your goodness, and so my cup overflows. My Lord, You are the God who heals. You opened the eyes of the blind, made the lame walk, cleansed the lepers, made the deaf hear, and raised people from the dead. Lord, You are the prince of peace. You calm my heart from the storms of life and give me hope in my uncertainty. Abba Father, You are the Lord my banner. You will rescue me from my affliction and give me victory.
My God, my heart is overwhelmingly heavy because of the pain I am experiencing right now. My mind is troubled with grief that it leaves me no rest at night. My soul thirsts for hope in my affliction. Lord, You invite Your people who are weary and burdened to come for the promise of rest. Today, I approach Your throne of grace because of who You said You are and because of Your promises. Help me to stand still knowing that You are the great I Am. Heal my pain and restore my soul. Give me peace and joy in the midst of the storm that I am in. Shower me with your comfort, for I am overwhelmed with grief. Strengthen my faith so that I may continue to hold fast in the hope of victory. Open my eyes to see that at the end of this is glory.
In Jesus’ name, I present my requests before You with thanksgiving for what You are about to do. You are not slow in keeping Your promises, and You who promised is faithful, so I have assurance with my hope in You. Today, I will walk with the expectation of victory, for I am a child of a victorious God. All glory belongs to You, God the Father. Amen.
A short prayer for those in grief
Father, hear my cry and comfort me in my grief. Rescue me from my affliction because You are my Lord and my God. Restore in me the joy that we have in Your holy presence. Shower me with Your peace that transcends all understanding. I pray this prayer through the mighty name of Your Son, Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
Word of God
Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. When a woman is in labor, she has pain because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. So you have pain now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
John 16:20-24 NRSVUE
Prayer to Our Lady, our comfort and our friend.
Blessed Mother, you are the mediator between God and man. Out of the abundance of God’s grace, love, and mercy, you became the mother of our Lord, who became flesh and dwelt among us. Your Son experienced grief because of our sins, you felt every torture as His mother, yet He endured the cross for our sake, and you endured watching your precious child suffer for us. And as He resurrected on the third day, so we can have hope today. You understand our pain and suffering, dear mother. Our worries concern you as they would an earthly mother.
Holy Mary, you are our comforter and our friend. You hear our cry and see our suffering. Take us under the comfort of your mantle. Embrace us with your peace. Put in our hearts a joyful song in the midst of our troubles and worries. Rekindle our hope in your Sons victory.
Holy Mother, we know that your presence doesn’t mean a life without storms. But we also know that your presence means comfort, peace, and joy in the middle of a storm. It is in God and our Holy Mother that we anchor our faith. Let God’s will be done in our lives. Mother Mary, Comfort of the Afflicted, pray for us. Amen.
Reflection
When the disciples faced a mighty storm, they were all anxious and terrified. Who wouldn’t be in the face of death? But during this life and death situation, Jesus was found asleep. How can He be still when their boat is about to sink? It is because He is a sovereign God. Even the wind and the storm follow His command. No wonder the Lord said in the scriptures, “Be still and know that I am God”.
What challenges are we facing right now? What is weighing our hearts down? What causes us grief and pain?
No matter what it is, know that the Lord is with us. Just like how the Lord was with Joseph when his brothers sold him to the Egyptians. Just like how the Lord was with Moses when he and the Israelites were facing the red sea. And just like how the Lord was with David when he faced Goliath. These stories of God’s faithfulness didn’t end in the last chapter of the book. He was faithful then, and He is still faithful today. We can trust His character because He is consistent. He is still the gracious, powerful God that we knew in the old testament today.
Rest in the promises of God. Trust his character. Hope in His presence. The feeling of grief that we are facing right now might be great, but God is even greater.
God is in the same boat with us. We can rest in the storm because He is sovereign. So we just sit back and be still and know that He is God. He’s got you!
