Father, there are times when bereavement hits each one of us and sometimes the pain of losing a loved one leaves us numb and grieving, and so we lift up all those who have been recently bereaved and who are having to come to terms with the loss someone who was close to them. We lift up all who have recently lost a family member or a close friend or colleague, and pray that You would draw very close to them.
We pray that You would strengthen them and give them the comfort and solace that only comes from You, and we pray that each one would recognise their deepening need to turn to Christ, Who is the God of all comforts and Who comforts us in our affliction, sadness and pain.
Heal those who are broken-hearted, give strength to those that are grieving, and for those who do not yet know You as their Saviour, we pray that this would be a time when the truth of the glorious gospel of grace would shine into their hearts, so that they may become partakers of Your perfect peace and heavenly joy, in the knowledge that death is simply the doorway into Your glorious presence. This we ask in Jesus' name,
Amen.