Lord, you’re the source of our most lavish gifts and precious blessings. You put breath in our lungs each morning. Our marriage provides a loving partner to share whatever comes our way. Children bring laughter, hugs, and dreams for tomorrow. You take care of our needs and fulfill the desires of our hearts. We stand amazed at your generous love that gives more than we ever deserve. Yet even as we receive good from your hand, life brings suffering and grief. As your children, we need your love in our losses.  

Friends move on or move away.

Loved ones go ahead of us to heaven, leaving us raw with grief.

A satisfying career comes to a dead stop as we lose our job.

Kids make poor choices, landing them in a pit of trouble with no easy way out.

Goals and priorities collide so we feel divided in our marriage.

Accidents and health crises threaten our well-being.

Security and safety evaporate in times of trouble.

The people, possessions, and plans we cling to are torn from our grasp. We lose our bearings as life is altered beyond recognition.

When we struggle through unwanted events and problems, we need hope. We cry out to you, our God who never changes or leaves our side. Thank you for your tender invitation to bring our losses, our hurts, and our disappointments to you in prayer:

Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;
save your servant who trusts in you.

You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord,
for I call to you all day long.
Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.

You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy.
When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.

Teach me your way, Lord,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.

I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your love toward me…
(Psalm 86:1-7, 11-13)

Today, Lord, we want to trust you no matter what we’ve lost. Satisfy the needs and longings of our hearts with yourself. Allow us to discover that you’re perfect. You’re good. You’re enough.

Overwhelm us with your love in our losses that’s better than life itself.

Amen.