A Prayer for a Grief Anniversary
Some days... grief is just plain hard
There are often times no words that will suffice for a grief anniversary. Sometimes, the people in our lives reach out or maybe we decide to hold vigil with intentional choices. Other times, the day might silently go by just as any other day.
Grief anniversaries can bring a myriad of emotions—the feelings might deeply surprise when they surface, especially if our bodies remember more than our brains can recall.
Grief surprises us when we’re the least ready for it—even on an anniversary of the pain.
This prayer for you today, is not to fix the pain that your heart holds. This prayer is offered as a balm—a soothing recognition that no matter how long it’s been, pain is still pain. You aren’t expected to “be over it” or have “moved on”. You can be right where you are, today.
All is welcome here.
A Prayer for a Grief Anniversary
Oh God, my eyes open today, heavy in remembrance of the pain my heart bears.
The memories flood back in rushing torrents, yet at times, still feel like they are viewed through the lens of fog.
My heart pounds faster as I remember…
the loss,
the horror,
the phone call,
the goodbye,
the screams,
the tears,
the hopelessness,
the numb of living.
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Oh God, you are deeply acquainted with grief.
You have known it in the innermost marrow of your own body.
Let me feel your nearness, today, as I hold my own pain—not alone, but with You.
I pray that I experience You, today.
Hold me in my tears.
Wrap Your arms around my memories.
Sit with me in silence as I experience this pain that rises every year.
God, as You hold my tears, each and every one—
may I get a glimpse of the tears You are still crying alongside me.
For, our tears are sacred.
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Today, on this grief anniversary, may I honor what was and what has come to be.
May I honor my pain.
May I honor my loss.
May I honor my hope.
May I honor my joy.
May I honor my goodbyes.
May I honor my bravery.
May I honor how my body feels.
May I honor my living.
///
And as I wake up tomorrow, back to what has become my everyday life—
remind me that I’m held in your long and loving gaze.
So seen.
So loved.
So known.
Always.
Amen.
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