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•A Prayer for When You’re in Mourning•By Anthony Valente👉 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”(Revelation 21:4)Death is a devastating reality. It happens to us all, every day, yet with its unwavering commonality, it does not make it any easier to experience. It’s especially hard to swallow when death comes unexpectedly and too soon in someone’s life. When a death is tragic, like a child dying from cancer or losing your child in a unexpected accident the goodness of God can be put into question. Questions such as, “Why would God allow this?” “Why didn’t He heal my child, why didn’t He protect my child?”In these moments, well-intended people may try to offer their sentiments by saying, “Everything happens for a reason” or “It’s all a part of God’s plan.” However, this can be the worst thing to tell someone in mourning. For someone who is already in the most vulnerable and heartbreaking time of their lives, this could also cause them to move further away from God. In the midst of losing a loved one, they may think that God took away their loved one in the most devastating way possible. These condolences can create animosity and strife.It can be so hard to reconcile the reality of death and suffering with the goodness of God. I believe that the tragedies in life are not created by God nor is it part of His plan or will. Unfortunately, we live in a broken world, and when sin entered the world with the fall of humanity, the reality of death entered as well. I don’t believe that a tragic death, or death in general, is a part of God’s plan. I believe that God fully desires for us to live a beautiful, healthy life without pain — which is why He made a way for us to be in paradise forever with Him once again.However, because of the brokenness of this world, children have cancer and illnesses, people experience suffering and death. Since we are surrounded by these realities, the logical question that arises is “wouldn’t God, who is all-powerful, omniscient, and truly good, intervene and save [a child from death]? That is an absolutely valid question and there is nothing wrong with asking it. God can handle it. He can handle the doubt we work through.Although this is one question that I cannot definitively answer either, I acknowledge that it’s one of the mysterious sides of God that make Him the Lord our God. It is through faith alone that provides peace to that question — Faith alone that God is good.Let’s Pray.🙏 Dear Lord,My heart is hurting in the wake of my loss. I feel empty and hopeless. There is a piece missing. I pray that in the midst of this darkness that You would be near me. Although I cannot fully grasp the reason or purpose, I know You understand and cry with me. You feel my pain and bring me into the fold of Your loving arms. Father, I pray for those who have lost someone they love. I pray for them as they grieve. I pray that You will be with them and comfort them, letting them know that it is okay to feel everything that they are feeling. Even though we may know that our loved one was saved and are now in heaven with You, I pray for Your comfort and peace to surround us until we, too, may be united again with You and them. Death is so confounding and hurts more than anything else on this earth, but I know You, my God and trust You with all of my heart to be there in the darkest time of our lives. We love and trust You, our Father in Heaven.In Jesus’ name,AMEN 🙏 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.(1 John 2:17)But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.(2 Peter 3:10)The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.(Psalm 33:14)So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.(Matthew 18:14)Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.(John 14:27)Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol (the place of the dead)? Shall I redeem them from death? O death, where are your thorns? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from My eyes [because of their failure to repent].(Hosea 13:14)He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.(Psalm 147:3)The last enemy to be destroyed is death.(1 Corinthians 15:26)“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.(John 14:1)Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.(Psalm 144:4)And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.(Romans 8:28)Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.(Revelation 21:1)Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.(Isaiah 41:10)Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.(1 Corinthians 15:54-57)For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love.(Lamentations 3:31-32)For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.(Ecclesiastes 3:1)All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.(2 Corinthians 1:3-4)And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”(Matthew 21:22)And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.(Hebrews 11:6)Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.(Psalm 23:4)(pic verse)God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.(Matthew 5:4)