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Japanese Parents who have lost a child can pray in the fewest words: “Lord, our child is gone, and we cannot bear it. Keep [name] safe in your love, hold us together, and carry us through today. Amen.” The Anglican, Catholic and Orthodox burial services for a child have their own prayers as well.
The Compassionate Friends, a support network for families after the death of a child, has more than 500 local chapters in the US, and a separate charity of the same name runs a UK helpline on 0345 123 2304. If grief turns into thoughts of ending your own life, call or text 988 in the US, or call Samaritans on 116 123 in the UK and Ireland. In Russia, the helpline for children, teenagers and parents is 8 800 2000 122. There are also more Christian and crisis lines.
Prayers for a grieving parent
Say your child’s name where [name] appears.
In the first days
Lord, I do not know how to live through this day. Keep me breathing, keep me eating, and put people beside me who will not leave. Your word says, “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart” (Psalm 34:18). Be near now. Amen.
When you cannot pray
God, I have no words left. Take my tears and my silence as my prayer. Your word says that when “we know not what we should pray for as we ought,” the Spirit “maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26). Pray for me, because I cannot. Amen.
When you are angry with God
Lord, I asked you to keep [name] safe, and [he or she] died. I do not understand, and I am angry. I bring you the question the psalmist brought: “How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?” (Psalm 13:1). Do not let go of me while I cannot hold on to you. Amen.
When guilt will not leave
Father, I keep going over what I did and did not do, and asking whether I could have stopped it. You know every detail. Where I failed, forgive me; where I did not, free me from blame I do not deserve. “He knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14). Amen.
A mother’s prayer
Lord, I carried [name], fed [him or her] and watched [him or her] grow, and now my arms are empty. You promised, “As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you” (Isaiah 66:13). Comfort me like that, because nothing else reaches this. Amen.
A father’s prayer
God, when Absalom died, King David cried, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee” (2 Samuel 18:33). I understand him now. Give me strength to grieve without hiding it, and to hold up my family while I am falling apart. Amen.
For our marriage
Lord, we are grieving the same child in different ways, and it is pulling us apart. Help us to be patient when one of us wants to talk and the other cannot, to forgive what grief makes us say, and to turn toward each other instead of away. Amen.
For our other children
Father, [name]’s brothers and sisters have lost more than they can say. Comfort them, answer their questions through us, and keep them from feeling forgotten while we grieve. Let them know they are still our joy. Amen.
On birthdays and anniversaries
Lord, today [name] would have been [age]. The day is hard, and the world has moved on. Thank you for every year and every hour we had. Hold [him or her] in your love, and help us to keep this day with tears and with thanks. Amen.
For the doctors and nurses
God, bless the doctors, nurses, paramedics and chaplains who cared for [name] and for us. Where they grieve too, comfort them, and give them strength for the next family. Amen.
To remember a child’s life
Father, [name]’s life was short, but it was real and it mattered. Thank you for [his or her] laugh, [his or her] voice and the love [he or she] brought into our home. Let us never be afraid to say [his or her] name. Amen.
After a miscarriage or stillbirth there are separate prayers for miscarriage.
Traditional prayers at the death of a child
From the Book of Common Prayer
The 1928 Book of Common Prayer has a full order for the burial of a child. It appoints Psalm 23 and Psalm 121, and includes these prayers.
O merciful Father, whose face the angels of thy little ones do always behold in heaven; Grant us stedfastly to believe that this thy child hath been taken into the safe keeping of thine eternal love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1928), At the Burial of a Child, p. 340
O God, whose most dear Son did take little children into his arms and bless them; Give us grace, we beseech thee, to entrust the soul of this child to thy never-failing care and love, and bring us all to thy heavenly kingdom; through the same thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1928), At the Burial of a Child, p. 342
Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of all comfort; Deal graciously, we pray thee, with all those who mourn, that, casting every care on thee, they may know the consolation of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1928), At the Burial of a Child, p. 342
From the Catholic burial of children
The Catholic rite for a baptized child who dies before the age of reason does not ask forgiveness for the child. It prays as the Church believes, that such a child is already with God. This prayer is from the 1888 Manual of Prayers.
Almighty and most merciful God, who, when little children born again at the Font of Baptism depart this world, dost forthwith, without any desert of theirs, bestow upon them life everlasting, as we believe Thou hast done this day to the soul of this little child: grant us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, through the intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, and of all Thy Saints, to serve Thee here with pure minds, and to be for ever united to the Blessed little ones in Paradise. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Manual of Prayers for the Use of the Catholic Laity (1888), The Burial of Children, pp. 588–589
From the Orthodox burial of a child
The Orthodox service for the burial of a child ends with this prayer, in Isabel Hapgood’s 1906 translation. Say the child’s name where the book prints N.
O Lord, who guardest little children in this present life, and hast prepared for them in the life which is to come a spacious place, even Abraham’s bosom, and angelic abodes brightly radiant which befit their purity, wherein the souls of the righteous dwell: Do thou, the same Christ, receive the soul of thy servant, the child, N., with peace. For thou hast said: Suffer the little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven. For unto thee are due all glory, honour and worship, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Hapgood, Service Book of the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Apostolic (Greco-Russian) Church (1906), The Order for the Burial of a Child, pp. 433–434
Praying for a son or daughter who has died
Churches differ on prayer for the dead. Catholics and Orthodox Christians pray for those who have died, and the 1928 Book of Common Prayer includes prayers for the departed. Most other Protestants pray only for the living; the Westminster Confession says prayer is to be made “for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter, but not for the dead.” Christians of every tradition pray for the family.
For an older son or daughter, Catholics use the ordinary prayers for the dead. The 1888 Manual of Prayers gives one for a man, one for a woman, and one for a person who died suddenly.
O Lord, incline Thine ear unto the prayers whereby we humbly call upon Thee to show mercy unto the soul of Thy servant N., which Thou hast commanded to depart out of this life; that it may please Thee to set him in a place of peace and light, and give him a part with Thy Saints.
A Manual of Prayers for the Use of the Catholic Laity (1888), Various Prayers for the Dead, “For a Man deceased,” pp. 592–593
Lord, we beseech Thee, in the tenderness of Thy great mercy, to have pity upon the soul of Thy handmaid N.; cleanse her from all defilements which have stained this mortal body, and give her inheritance in everlasting salvation.
A Manual of Prayers for the Use of the Catholic Laity (1888), Various Prayers for the Dead, “For a Woman deceased,” p. 593
Almighty and merciful God, in whose hand is the lot of man, absolve the soul of Thy servant, we beseech Thee, from all sins; that although surprised by sudden death he may not lose the benefit of the repentance which he desired.
A Manual of Prayers for the Use of the Catholic Laity (1888), Various Prayers for the Dead, “For One Overtaken by Sudden Death,” p. 594
The same book’s burial service uses the short prayer for the dead that Catholics say at any time: “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.” For a daughter, say “her.”
Psalms for a mother who has lost a child
The Bible gives a grieving mother words of her own. Jeremiah heard “Rahel weeping for her children,” who “refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not” (Jeremiah 31:15), and Matthew repeats the verse after Herod’s killing of the children of Bethlehem (Matthew 2:18). The prayer book’s burial of a child appoints Psalm 23 and Psalm 121, and Psalm 34 says, “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.” Psalm 56 asks God to keep every tear: “put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” (Psalm 56:8).
Why did God take my child?
Scripture does not give a reason for each child’s death, and it does not rebuke the parents who grieve. When David’s infant son died, David said, “I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me” (2 Samuel 12:23). At the tomb of Lazarus, knowing he was about to raise him, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). Paul did not tell grieving Christians to stop sorrowing, but that they “sorrow not, even as others which have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13), and the Bible ends with the promise that “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death” (Revelation 21:4).
Is my child in heaven?
Christians hold this hope in different ways. The Catholic burial rite for children states the Church’s belief that baptized children who die before the age of reason receive eternal life. For children who died without baptism, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says the Church “can only entrust them to the mercy of God” and that Jesus’ tenderness toward children allows “us to hope that there is a way of salvation” for them (paragraph 1261). The Orthodox burial service asks God to give “the spotless child” the “inheritance of thy kingdom.” Many Protestants point to David’s words about his infant son, “I shall go to him.” More passages are gathered in the Bible verses about loved ones in heaven.
Prayer for Comfort in Grief
Idea: A prayer to ask for comfort and solace in the devastating moments following the loss of a child. In times of deep loss and heartache, it can be difficult to find the strength to carry on. A prayer for comfort and solace can provide a sense of peace and hope during these devastating moments. It is a way to seek support and guidance from a higher power, knowing that we are not alone in our grief.
In addition to prayers for comfort, many may also seek prayers for children’s surgery, as they undergo difficult and challenging procedures. Asking for strength and healing for these young ones can provide a sense of support and unity within the community. Turning to prayer in times of hardship can offer a source of comfort and resilience as we navigate the difficult emotions that come with loss and illness.
Losing a child is one of the most heartbreaking tragedies that can befall a family. Praying for comfort in grief is a powerful way to solace in pain and sorrow. This prayer for those struggling with the loss of a child seeks peace and comfort to the grieving parents.
Prayer:
Almighty God, you are our refuge and strength in times of trouble, and we come to you today with heavy hearts. We seek comfort in our grief, for the loss of our beloved child, who left us too soon. We thank you for the moments we shared with them, the joy they brought into our lives, and the memories that will live on forever.
We know you are greater than any pain we feel, and you can help us heal. Give us the courage to face each day with grace and compassion. Show us how to find strength in our sorrow, and to be an example for others. Bless us with understanding and peace during this difficult time, and fill our hearts with hope for the future.
Help us to find joy in our memories of our child, and to carry them in our hearts forever. We offer you this prayer in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Praying for comfort in grief can be difficult, but it is a powerful way to find solace in a time of pain and sorrow. This prayer, for all those who have experienced the loss of a child, seeks to bring peace and comfort to the grieving parents and help them carry their child’s memory in their hearts forever. During such challenging times, comforting prayers can provide a sense of hope and healing. By lifting up their hearts in prayer, the grieving parents may feel a sense of reassurance and support from a higher power. These comforting prayers can serve as a source of strength as they navigate through their grief and begin to find peace in their memories of their child.
Prayer for Remembering and Honoring
Idea: A prayer focused on cherishing the memories and the time spent with the lost child.
Prayer for losing a child is a difficult and heartbreaking experience for any parent. This prayer is for remembering and honoring a beloved child who has gone too soon. It is a prayer of solace and hope, that the child’s memory will remain strong in the hearts of those they have left behind.
Prayer for Remembering and Honoring:
Lord, we come to you with heavy hearts, mourning the loss of our beloved child. We ask for your grace and mercy to ease our pain and comfort our broken hearts. Help us remember our child with love and joy, and never forget their impact on our lives. Give us the strength to honor their memory and cherish our time together. Help us to find peace and solace in our pain, and to turn our sadness into joy by remembering the beauty of our child. We know that they are with you now, and that they will remain in our hearts forever. Amen.
This prayer reminds us that, although our beloved child may no longer be here with us, their memory will live on in our hearts. May this prayer bring solace and peace to those struggling with losing a child and inspire us to remember and honor our child’s life and legacy.
Prayer for Strength to Cope
Idea: Pray for the emotional and spiritual strength to deal with this immense loss.
Losing a child can be one of the greatest tragedies that a parent can experience. In grief, prayer can be a great source of comfort and strength. This prayer seeks to comfort those who have lost a child and to ask for strength to cope with this difficult situation.
Heavenly Father,
We come to you in our time of sorrow. Our hearts are heavy and we feel overwhelmed in our grief. Lord, we ask for your comfort and strength during this difficult time.
We can’t fathom the pain of losing a child and ask for your grace. Give us peace to accept that our child is now with you in Heaven. Help us cope with the emptiness and loneliness we feel in our hearts.
Help us to find strength to go on and to find joy in the moments of life. Help us to focus on the good memories that we have and to find comfort and solace in them.
Give us the courage to continue and find joy despite our pain. We know our child is in your loving arms and ask for your continued presence and guidance in our lives.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This prayer seeks comfort and strength for those who have lost a child. It asks for God to guide and encourage those struggling to cope with their grief. It is a reminder that joy can still be found even in the midst of pain. May God’s grace and love be with those who are grieving.
Prayer for Other Siblings and Family
Idea: Pray for the well-being and emotional stability of other siblings and family members affected by the loss. We can also offer our support and comfort to our family members by checking in on them regularly, sharing memories of our loved one, and being present for them during their moments of grief. Additionally, praying as a family can help us strengthen our bond and collectively lift up our concerns and hopes for healing. As we come together in prayer, we can find solace and strength in each other as we navigate through this difficult time. In addition, we can also seek guidance and support from our faith community during this challenging time. Sharing our experiences and seeking wisdom from spiritual leaders can help us find comfort and perspective as we mourn our loss. By incorporating family prayer tips, such as setting aside dedicated time for prayer as a family and including specific intentions for healing and restoration, we can continue to uplift and support each other as we move forward. Together, we can lean on our faith and our bond as a family to find strength and hope for the future.
The loss of a child is a devastating tragedy that can powerfully impact the other siblings and family members. Knowing that, prayers for the loss of a child can be a source of comfort and hope to those who have experienced such a tragedy. This prayer, inspired by the teachings of TD Jakes, is a prayer for the family of the lost one, asking for strength and healing in their time of grief.
Prayer
O Lord, You are our refuge and our hope. Our hearts are heavy with the loss of (Name of Child). Comfort us in our grief, that we might find solace in You. Fill us with Your peace, that we may find strength to carry on.
Give us the courage to lean into You and each other, share our grief, and support one another in this difficult time. Wrap us in Your loving embrace, that we may find peace in our sorrow.
We thank You for the gift of (Name of Child). For the love, laughter, and joy that (Name of Child) brought into our lives. Help us to remember the good times and to cherish the memories of our time together.
We ask You to extend Your grace and mercy upon us, that we may find comfort and healing. Guide us on our journey of grief, that we may find hope and strength in You.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
As difficult as it may be, prayers for losing a child can be a source of hope and healing for those who have experienced such a tragedy. This prayer, inspired by the teachings of TD Jakes, is a prayer for the family of the lost one, asking for strength and healing in their time of grief. May the words of this prayer bring peace and comfort to those who have lost a child, that they may find strength and hope in the Lord.
Prayer for Marriage/Partnership Strength
Idea: A prayer aimed at sustaining the marriage or partnership during the intense strain following a child’s loss. To provide strength and support during this difficult time, I recommend turning to powerful prayers for marriage restoration. These prayers can help rebuild the bond between partners and provide a sense of unity and comfort. By turning to these powerful prayers, couples can find the strength to navigate the challenges of grieving the loss of a child and work towards healing and restoration in their relationship.
Loss of a child can be a heartbreaking experience for any parent and can powerfully affect their marriage. It can be difficult to face the grief and challenges of this experience. Fortunately, prayer can provide a source of strength and comfort. This prayer for marriage/partnership strength is dedicated to those who have experienced the loss of a child and wish to find comfort and hope in their marriage.
Prayer:
Lord, we come to you with heavy hearts, grieving the loss of our child. Despite the pain and sadness, we find hope in our marriage. We acknowledge that marriage is an important union and pray for strength to make it through this difficult time. Help us be patient and understanding with each other, so we may be a source of comfort and support.
Give us the courage to open up and discuss our feelings. Remind us that we are both hurting, and that it is ok to be emotional. Allow us to lean on each other and to find solace in each other’s presence. Give us the wisdom to know when we need to be alone, and when we need to be together.
We thank you Lord for your blessing and your grace. Remember that our marriage is a gift and can give us strength and courage as we go through this difficult time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Loss of a child can be a devastating experience, but prayer can help provide hope and comfort. This prayer for marriage/partnership strength is dedicated to those who have experienced the loss of a child and wish to find peace and strength in their marriage. May God bless you and your partner with strength and courage during this difficult time.
Prayer for Healing and Acceptance
Idea: Pray for healing of the heart and the ability to eventually accept this tragic loss.
The loss of a child is one of the most agonizing experiences a parent can go through. It is an unbearable pain to cope with. Prayer is a powerful way to express our grief, seek comfort, and seek healing in such a difficult time. The following prayer for healing and acceptance is written to bring hope and solace to the broken hearted.
Prayer for Healing and Acceptance:
Father God, we come to You in our time of grief and sorrow, asking for Your healing grace and help in our time of need. We know that You understand our pain and sorrow, and we ask that You bring us comfort and peace. Guide us through our healing journey, help us accept our loss, and give us strength to bear this burden. Be with us in the days ahead, fill our hearts with Your love, and help us to find joy amid sorrow.
We know You are close to the brokenhearted, and we ask for Your presence in our lives. Help us to remember the happy times we had with our children, and to keep their memory alive in our hearts. Guide us in our healing journey, and remind us of Your promise of hope and peace. Amen.
This prayer for healing and acceptance is written to bring solace and comfort to those grieving the loss of a child. It reminds us that God is close to the brokenhearted and is always with us in our time of need. May the words of this prayer bring hope and peace to the grieving hearts.
Prayer for Faith in Divine Plan
Idea: A prayer for maintaining or restoring faith in a divine plan or purpose.
The loss of a child is difficult to discuss, as it involves a deep sense of grief and loss. As believers, it is important to find solace in the Lord’s divine plan and have faith that His will is the best for us. This prayer is meant to help offer comfort in times of sadness, and help bring a sense of peace and understanding amid deep pain.
Prayer:
Lord, we ask for your comfort and peace as we mourn the loss of our child. Though the pain is immense, we give thanks for the short time we were blessed to spend with them. We ask your guidance to help us accept and trust your divine plan. We know your will is perfect and your love and mercy will never fail us. Help us find strength and faith amid our sorrow, and remind us of the joy and beauty that can be found even in the darkest days. Amen.
This prayer is meant to help offer comfort in times of sadness, and help bring a sense of peace and understanding amid deep pain. May our faith in the Lord’s divine plan help bring us comfort and hope in our time of need.
Prayer for Medical and Emotional Caregivers
Idea: Pray for the medical staff and therapists who tried to save the child or are helping the family cope.
In times of tragedy, praying can be a healing and comforting act. The loss of a child can be an especially difficult time for medical and emotional caregivers, who may struggle to process their grief while also continuing to care for those around them. This prayer is offered for those medical and emotional caregivers grieving the loss of a child.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of life and the lives of those we have held dear. We remember the joy and love that this child brought to us, and we ask that you bring comfort to all who are mourning the loss of this precious life.
We also thank you for the medical and emotional caregivers who have done their best to care for and comfort the child and the family. We ask for your healing hand to be upon them, and that you will grant them peace and strength. Give them the courage and resilience to continue caring for those in need, even when it can be difficult.
We ask for your divine presence to surround us and your spirit to be with us in our grief and sorrow. We know that in our darkest moments, you are with us, and that even in death, life finds a way. Amen.
In moments of loss, prayer can bring comfort and hope. This prayer for a lost child’s medical and emotional caregivers offers hope and healing. May these caregivers find solace in knowing that we are all connected by the gift of life, and by the power of prayer.
Prayer for a Safe Journey to the Afterlife
Idea: A prayer for the child’s peaceful transition to whatever lies beyond.
The death of a child is a tragedy that can devastate a family. The loss of a child can leave family members with a deep sense of grief and distress. As members of the Christian faith, we must remember that prayer can comfort us in such difficult times. This prayer for a safe journey to the afterlife honors the child’s life and requests that God grant them a safe journey.
Prayer:
Lord God, we come to you today in sorrow and grief, remembering the life of a dear child who has been taken from us too soon. We humbly ask that you provide the child a safe journey to the afterlife. Let the child know that they are forever loved and will be remembered. May they find peace and comfort in your presence, and feel the love of those grieving for them on Earth.
We are grateful that you can bring us comfort and peace, and we thank you for the child’s beautiful life. We trust you will keep the child in your loving care until we reunite. Amen.
This prayer for a safe journey to the afterlife honors the child’s life and provides comfort and hope for the grieving family. May we all remember the beautiful life of the child and trust in God’s power to bring us peace and comfort.
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