A prayer from my book Heart to Heart, seeking God’s help and comfort in times of sorrow that test us to the limit.
The God of all comfort
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will receive comfort. Matthew 5:4
Introduction
Is there any blessing in sorrow? It’s hard to think so, isn’t it? The very thought of tragedy sends a chill up our spines, causing us to push it to the back of our minds, and it’s natural we should feel that way, for God doesn’t want us to idealise grief or unhappiness. Yet life, inevitably, will bring its share of heartache, and, however hard that will be to bear, we have the promise of his comfort to support us and see us through.
Pray
I don’t know how I’ll cope, Lord,
I really don’t.
When tragedy strikes,
as one day it unquestionably will,
I’m not sure how I’ll take it;
whether I’ll have the strength I need,
the inner resources,
to keep my head above water,
or whether I’ll sink like a stone,
overwhelmed by the trauma,
engulfed by grief,
drowning in despair.
I hope I’ll be strong,
but even the thought of calamity sets my hairs on end,
never mind the reality.
I dread the aching sense of loss,
the pall of sorrow,
the utter brokenness of heart and spirit,
those themselves too much to bear,
but I fear also
the simplistic words of consolation some will offer,
sincere enough,
well-intended,
yet promising peace where there is no peace,
cheer where there is no cheer
and answers where there is only confusion.
Remind me, Lord, of your assurance
that those who mourn shall be comforted,
that tears will give way to laughter
and light triumph over darkness.
Remind me that whatever I face, I will not be alone;
that in the shadow of sorrow
and the valley of death
you will be there.
And remind me, also, of all those across the years
who have discovered the same,
finding in you not just one to share their pain
but one also who leads them through it
to new beginnings,
a new dawn.
Would I cope, Lord?
I just don’t know,
but thankfully even if I fail,
you won’t,
your love unfailing,
your promise true,
your comfort assured.
Receive my praise,
in Jesus’ name.
Amen.