# Prayers for grief

Four short prayers for when someone you love has died. You do not need the right words. These can be yours for now.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/prayers/grief. Scripture quotations are from the Lumin Translation. These prayers are not Scripture; each names the passages it draws on.

> **If you are thinking about ending your life or hurting yourself, talk to a person now.**
>
> - United States and Canada: Call or text 988, any hour.
> - United Kingdom and Ireland: Call Samaritans on 116 123, any hour.
> - Australia: Call Lifeline on 13 11 14, any hour.
> - Anywhere else: Find a free line in your country at findahelpline.com.
>
> If you are in danger right now, call your local emergency number. Lumin is an AI. It cannot sit with you, and these people can.

## Prayers

### The first days

When the loss is new and you cannot think.

> Lord, you are close to the brokenhearted, and my heart is broken. I don’t have words. Stay near me. Carry me through today. Amen.

Draws on [Psalm 34:18](https://www.lumin.faith/read/psalm/34#18).

### When it hurts

When you are angry, confused, or empty.

> God, I miss them. I don’t understand why this happened, and I won’t pretend I do. Jesus wept at his friend’s grave, so I know you are not far from tears. Hear my sorrow. Comfort me the way only you can, and hold the one I lost in your care. Amen.

Draws on [John 11:35](https://www.lumin.faith/read/john/11#35) and [Psalm 13:1-2](https://www.lumin.faith/read/psalm/13#1-2) and [Matthew 5:4](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/5#4).

### On a hard day

A birthday, an anniversary, a holiday with an empty chair.

> Father, today is heavy. Thank you for the years I had with them. Thank you for what they gave me. Hold me when the memories hurt, and give me hope in the day when you wipe every tear away. Amen.

Draws on [Revelation 21:4](https://www.lumin.faith/read/revelation/21#4) and [Philippians 1:3](https://www.lumin.faith/read/philippians/1#3).

### For a friend who is grieving

For someone else’s loss. Say their name.

> Lord, [name] is grieving. Be their comfort when the visits stop and the house is quiet. Give them people who will sit with them. Help me know when to speak and when to stay. Amen.

Draws on [2 Corinthians 1:3-4](https://www.lumin.faith/read/2-corinthians/1#3-4) and [Romans 12:15](https://www.lumin.faith/read/romans/12#15).

## Bible verses for grief

- **[Psalm 34:18](https://www.lumin.faith/read/psalm/34#18)**: “Yahweh is close to those whose hearts are broken, and he saves those whose spirits are crushed.” The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
- **[Matthew 5:4](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/5#4)**: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Jesus: those who mourn will be comforted.
- **[John 11:35](https://www.lumin.faith/read/john/11#35)**: “Jesus wept.” Jesus wept, standing at his friend’s grave.
- **[Revelation 21:4](https://www.lumin.faith/read/revelation/21#4)**: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will not exist any longer, and neither will grief or crying or pain, because the former things have gone away.”” No more death or mourning or crying or pain.
- **[1 Thessalonians 4:13](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-thessalonians/4#13)**: “But, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about those who have fallen asleep, so that you will not be sorrowful like the rest, who have no hope.” Grieve, but not as people who have no hope.

More: [What the Bible says about grief](https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/grief).

## Questions

### Is it OK to be angry at God when someone dies?

Many people in the Bible told God exactly how they felt. Psalm 13 begins by asking God how long he will forget the one praying. Bringing your anger to God is still prayer. You do not have to tidy it first.

### Can I change the words of these prayers for grief?

Yes. They are a place to start, not a formula. Use your own words, add names, or pray just one line. God hears the prayer, not the wording.

### Who wrote these prayers?

Lumin wrote them from the passages named under each prayer. They are not Scripture. Every reference is checked against the Bible text each time the site is built. The verses are quoted from the Lumin Translation, so you can open each one and read it in context.