Praying to Overcome Grief
|
|
Time to read 5 min
A Journey of Healing, Hope, and His Presence
Grief has a way of leaving us speechless. Whether it's the loss of a loved one, a relationship, a dream, or even a life season that ended too soon, grief can feel like a storm that never quite passes. But in the midst of that storm, prayer becomes our anchor —our connection to the One who never leaves.
- "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." – Psalm 34:17–18 (NIV)
The beauty of walking with God is knowing He is not distant or removed from our suffering. He’s close. He listens. He cares deeply.
God Doesn’t Rush Your Healing
There is no time limit on grief. And thankfully, there’s no spiritual “checklist” for moving through it.God doesn’t say, “You should be over this by now.”He simply says: “I’m with you in this.”
We grieve because we love deeply. And God, who is love, understands sorrow more than we know.
- "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain..." – Isaiah 53:3 (NIV)
Whether your grief is fresh or decades old, God invites you to bring it to Him. Every time. There is no expiration date on your need for comfort.
Watch What You Speak While Grieving
In seasons of grief, our words can reflect the heaviness we feel. And while it's okay to be honest with God (David certainly was in the Psalms!), we must also be mindful of the power in our words.
Every word you say—whether positive or negative—is an affirmation .
- "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." – Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)
This doesn't mean pretending everything is fine. It simply means speaking truth with faith . Instead of saying, “I’ll never feel joy again,” say,
- “Right now, I’m hurting, but I trust God is healing me day by day.”
Let your words make space for your pain and your healing.
God Hears Your Cry
Sometimes grief makes God feel distant. But feelings are not facts. God is listening. Always.
- "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit... he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." – Psalm 40:1–2 (NIV)
You may not feel lifted right away—but you will be. Healing is often quiet, slow, and sacred.
Trust that God is working even in the silence.
He is Always With You
God is not only aware of your sorrow—He feels it with you. He sits with you. He walks with you. And He carries you when you can’t carry yourself.
- "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me..." – Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
🕊️ A Prayer for the Grieving Heart
Father, I come to You with a heart that feels heavy and fragile. Some days I feel strong, and others I feel like I’m barely holding on. But through it all, I know You are near. I ask You to help me guard my tongue, so that even in pain, my words reflect hope. Thank You for walking with me through this valley. Thank You for understanding my sorrow. Help me remember that I’m not alone—and that healing doesn’t mean forgetting, it means learning to live with love, memory, and hope. I trust You to carry me. And it is so!
✍️ Journal Prompts for Grieving with God
Take time with these prompts—no rush, no pressure. Just you, your heart, and God's healing presence.
Where do I feel the most pain right now, and what do I need to tell God about it?
What do I believe about God’s presence in my grief? What do I want to believe?
Are there any words or thoughts I've spoken that need to be surrendered or reframed with faith?
What healing have I already experienced, even if it’s small?
How has grief changed the way I see myself, God, or others?
What would it look like to invite God into my grieving process today?
Download Printable scripture Cards
Click here to download free grief scripture cards.
Affirm The Word Journaling & Affirmation Products
The Author: J. Marie Jones
J. MARIE JONES is an author and former media professional who is passionate about sharing her faith journey as a mother, teacher, and daughter called by God. She has a heart for believers seeking to be transformed through the practice of internalizing God’s Word and engaging in the daily discipline of affirming it in their lives. J. Marie is a mom to a wildly talented girl who is bursting with life and comedic energy. As founder of Affirm The Word Literary, she is committed to producing exceptional spiritual books and journals that help Believers grow in their walk with God and live out the highest expression of their true self.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Affirm The Word: The Spiritual Practice and the Prayer Journal?
Affirm The word is a published book complied by J. Marie Jones that contains 700+ indexed scriptures, affirmations, prayers and reflections on over 80 topics (i.e anxiety, marriage, prosperity, and faith to name a few). Is has a few prayer journal pages in the back.Our Prayer Journal contains scripture sections from the book of Psalms, Proverbs and select letters from the Pauline Epistles. It also includes writing prompts, plenty of sections to write one's prayers and a section for answered prayers.
How and where are your books made?
We design all our hardcover spiral journals, which are printed domestically and overseas. Most of our devotionals and prayer books are published by Broadstreet Publishing.
How and where are your apparel items made?
Our apparel and some of our accessories (i.e. mugs, bags, etc) are printed on-demand right here in the USA. They are Made-To-Order, which means each apparel or accessory item is specially made just for you!We support American manufacturing and are constantly researching ways to produce our products as close to home as possible. We also offer free shipping nationwide for orders over $75, so you can both order and enjoy our apparel anywhere! Once your order is paid, we begin processing your items, which usually take between 5—7 days. Made-To-Order items usually ship within a day of completion and arrive within 5 days.
How can I download my Affirm The Word e-Book so I can print it out?
Our e-Books are traditional cloud-based e-books (like Kindle) that require an internet connection to read. Therefore you can not download them to a local hard drive or print them out. If you would like a printed copy, you are welcome to order either a paperback our hardcover spiral copy from our shop.