Prayer for the Faces of our Grief

When my faith is shaken, please God, remind me of your love for me.

When I am jealous, give me the grace to accept my own grief journey.

When I am lonely, help me to reach out and share my feelings with others.

When I am stuck in memories of the past, give me the graces I need to forgive and be forgiven.

When I am in agony, hear my cry to you for help.

When I am anxious, remind me you are with me on my journey.

When I am faced with the reality that a deceased loved one will never come back in this life, let me experience their Presence in a new way.

When I feel guilty for what I did or failed to do, let your grace of forgiveness fill my spirit.

When I am angry, grant me the grace to face the fear beneath my anger.

When I resist change, give me the willingness I need to make life-giving choices.

When I have lost my future, help me trust that you will give me a future full of hope if I come to you with all my heart.

When I have lost old friends, let me recognize the new friends you place in my life.

When my grief makes me feel very tired, help me to be gentle with myself.

When grief triggers unexpected bursts, let me be patient with myself.

When procrastination paralyzes me, help me to do the next right thing one minute, one hour and one day at a time.

When I feel stuck in any way, do for me what I cannot do for myself.

When I am confused, let your Spirit give me clarity in your time.

When I am full of fear, remind me l am not alone on my grief journey.

When I am depressed, lead me to life-giving action.

When I feel an emptiness in my soul, fill me with your abiding Presence.

When I have lost my direction, let me know the path you wish me to take.

When I feel lost, find me.

When I have regrets, let me learn from my past and move on.

When sadness consumes me, help me be grateful for my good memories.

When I have lost part of myself, may I find a new identity with your help.

When I have lost meaning in my life, give me the grace to go on

When I am emotionally overwhelmed, teach me to breathe in your Love.

When I want to talk to my loved one, let me.

Amen.

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(Originally published in the Spring 2016 issue of HOPE magazine. Read Sister Connie’s article on grieving gracefully here.)