Prayers for Grief
from the Psalms of Lament

During grief it was difficult for me to find any words to pray. Among other ideas mentioned on this website, I found Nan Merrill's Psalms for Praying

a helpful resource to give voice to my feelings.

Here are two psalms from her book.

Psalm 13

How long, my Beloved?
     Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your
          face from me?
How long must I bear this pain
          in my soul,
     and live with sorrow
          all the day?
How long will fear rule my life

Notice my heart and answer me,
          O my Beloved;
     enlighten me, lest I walk as
          one dead to life;
Lest my ego fears say,
     "We have won the day;"
Lest they rejoice in their strength.

As I trust in your steadfast
          Love;
     my heart will rejoice,
          for in You is freedom.
I shall sing to the Beloved,
     who has answered my prayers
          a thousand fold!
Come, O Beloved, make your home
          in my heart.

Psalm 23

O my Beloved, You are my sheperd,
     I shall not want;
You bring me to green pastures
          for rest
     and lead me beside still waters
          renewing my spirit;
     You restore my soul. You lead me in the path of
          goodness
     to follow Love's way.

Even though I walk through the
     valley of the shadow and
          of death
     I am not afraid;
For You are ever with me;
     your rod and your staff
          they guide me,
     they give me strength
          and comfort.

You prepare a table before me
     in the presence of all my fears;
          you bless me with oil,
          my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy will
          follow me
     all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the heart
     of the Beloved forever.
          Amen.

For other ideas on prayers for grief, you might want to look at the section on writing your own laments using grief journaling or look in the photography section.