A Christmas Prayer for Grieving Hearts

When the holidays magnify the sorrow of loss, let this Christmas prayer for grieving hearts bring comfort.

In deep grief, Psalm 34 tells us God promises He “is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

We desperately need that comfort when the rest of the world is decking halls, planning parties, and stringing lights, but it’s hard to fathom making it through Christmas without your loved one.

In the first Christmases after my husband died suddenly, as I shepherded our seven children through the loss of their dad, the season was laced with a constant ache of missing and triggers that compounded the huge loss we were navigating.

I can’t tell you how many times I cried out for God to rescue my crushed heart. Each time, He seemed to wrap me with His presence, giving me enough comfort to make it through moment by moment.

The Christmas story is one of God coming close to us. He is Immanuel—God with us. (Matt. 1:23) God’s presence doesn’t take the pain away; God’s presence sustains us in the pain.

God is also the Father of compassion and God of all comfort who comforts us in our troubles. (2 Cor. 1:3-4) When we cry out to God for comfort, it’s a prayer He will always answer. 

This Christmas, we can lift our broken heart in prayer, knowing God sees our pain, understands it, and came to be with us in it. No matter what the cause of your grief, whether you’re praying for your own grieving heart or interceding for someone else walking through grief and loss, trust your lament is safe with God.

A Christmas Prayer for Grief

Dear Lord, I cry out to you. My heart feels split open and it seems as if the waves of sorrow will pull me under altogether.

You have promised to be close to the brokenhearted and to draw near to us when we will draw near to You. (James 4:8) So I come with open hands and a wounded heart, asking You to carry me now when I’m too weak to see my way through this grief. I come to You, the only One who can heal, walk with through this dark valley, and restore my joy.

Comfort as only You can. You’ve counted every tear I’ve cried and collected them in a bottle. (Psalm 56:8) Wrap me with Your Immanuel presence and fill the empty spaces of my heart with the length and width and height and depth of Your love for me.

Help me see Your good even on days that feel bad. I trust You are good and that Your goodness is still at work for me.

Lord, even though I don’t understand the circumstances, I trust You. Help me to trust You when fear wants to take over and to anchor my faith in You alone. Give me Your peace that passes all understanding so I can rest in Your ways and Your paths. (Phil. 4:6)

Thank You for the living hope born in a manger at Christmas. Thank You for heaven, that this suffering is not all there is, and that I will have eternity with You. Thank You for taking on flesh and dwelling among us. (John 1:14) and for bearing our sorrows that you might not only understand our suffering but so that You could deliver us from it. (Isaiah 53:3)

Lord, you know my heart—that while the world celebrates with merrymaking and song, I’m weighed down with pain. You’ve promised a hope and future for me. (Jeremiah 29:11) Restore my joy and put a new song in my mouth. (Psalm 40:3)

God, I have such deep need and I don’t see a way through this valley of sorrow. Sustain me, bring me through, and heal my broken heart.

I love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. I know You are the gift this Christmas. Forgive me for putting anything else in that place.

My eyes are on You and I trust You. Lead me with Your cords of kindness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.