When you're grieving, a prayer can be nothing more than the name of the person you've lost, said to God. There's no right way to do this and no schedule for it. The words below are here for the moments you want to pray and have nothing to say. If you can't pray at all right now, that's all right too. Others can do it for you for a while.
In the first days
Lord, I don't know how this has happened. I can't take it in. Please stay close. That's all I can ask for right now. Amen.
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
Psalm 34:18 (KJV)
When you have no words
God. Amen.
That's a whole prayer. Scripture says as much:
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
Romans 8:26 (KJV)
On a birthday, an anniversary or a holiday
Father, today the empty chair is very loud. Thank You for the years we had. Help me to get through today, in whatever way I get through it. Amen.
When you're angry
God, I don't understand this and I'm angry. I'm bringing that to You, since I don't know where else to take it. Amen.
“Jesus wept.”
John 11:35 (KJV)
It's the shortest verse in most English Bibles. Jesus was standing at His friend's tomb, and He knew what He was about to do, and He wept anyway.
For someone else who is grieving
Lord, I can't fix what has happened to my friend. Be close to them today. Show me one useful, quiet thing to do. Amen.
If you're walking alongside someone in grief
Say the name of the person who died. Bring a meal without asking. Check in after a few months, when other people have gone back to normal. Our page on how to encourage someone has more, and Bible verses for hard times may give you words to send.
Grief can be very heavy to carry alone. A pastor, a grief counselor or a doctor can walk with you. If you're thinking about harming yourself, you can call or text 988 in the US at any hour.
If you know someone who is grieving, this card can say a small thing when you don't know what to say. Fig Devotional is a daily devotional for iPhone: a verse, a prayer and one small action, ending in a card like this one. Its guides are illustrated characters and its reflections are written with AI.
Common questions
What is a short prayer for someone grieving?
Try this: Lord, be close to (name) today. Comfort them in the way only You can, and help me to be a good friend to them. Amen.
What can I pray when I'm grieving and have no words?
A single word or sentence is enough. Romans 8:26 says the Spirit helps us when we don't know what to pray. Psalm 23 is also a common choice, because you can read it when you can't write your own words.
Is it OK to be angry at God when someone dies?
Many psalms bring anger, confusion and complaint directly to God. Jesus Himself wept at the death of His friend Lazarus. You can bring all of it to prayer.
What Bible verse comforts the grieving?
Psalm 34:18 and Matthew 5:4 are two that people often turn to. Revelation 21:4 looks ahead to a day with no more tears.