Prayer for the anniversary of the loss of a loved one
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be informed of those who are dead and asleep, so that you will not grieve like any other human race without hope. We believe that Jesus died again and rose to the ground, so that God will bring those who have fallen asleep with him.” -1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
Read or listen to the following:
Every October, I remember the day leading up to my mother’s death. It’s been almost ten years since my mother passed away, but my memory burns in my heart. I remember woke up early and talking to my mother before she went to the hospital. I was the only person awake beside my mother and father, and my father had struggled to walk due to weakness, so I was pulling up the car for my mother. This was the last time I had a one-on-one conversation with my mother at home.
She said she was trying to get help from me and would soon be home. When my mother came out into the front door and left me inside, something told me she wasn’t home. I looked at the door in France and saw my mother standing there in the early October morning, and it all hit me. I remember this moment as if it was yesterday. It was the last time my mother stood on her porch or decorate our house with her presence.
My mother was admitted to the hospital and was soon transferred for emergency surgery. After her surgery, she was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU). My mother has been to the hospital before, but she has never been admitted to the ICU. I wasn’t ready to watch my mother connect to the machine. Full of life and strength, my mother was now motionless and unconscious, unable to have the power to defeat her heart anymore. To say this has changed my life forever is an understatement. I have still seen how much my mother’s death has affected my life years and years later.
My mother stayed in the ICU for 10 days before she passed away. She passed away early in the morning in mid-October. My dad got a call saying that my mother didn’t have much time and he needed to get there. By the time my dad got there, she had already passed away. And like that, my mother had left this world, and I never saw her on this side of heaven again.
I was a teenager when this happened so I can imagine how difficult it would be to process. I remember cutting my hair very short the next day. Until today, I don’t know why. My therapist said it was a traumatic response, but I don’t know why I did it. I noticed many other traumatic reactions as my mother passed away, including insomnia, constant crying, and overall depression. My mother’s death changed my entire life and I cannot say that there is an impact on her death redemption.
Death is bad, and we don’t need to be quick to negate the pain of others. To say “They are with the Lord now” doesn’t help at this point. I can’t speak for everyone, but I can admit that I’m selfish and I want my mother to be with me. Don’t we all want our loved ones to stay with us forever? Sadly, human falls involve death in the picture, but death is not the final outcome.
The apostle Paul tells us, “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be not informed of those who are dead and asleep, and then you will not grieve as hopeless as other humanity. We believe that Jesus died again and rose to the ground. As Paul states in this passage, we know that as Jesus rose from the dead, and our loved ones too, so we do not need to grieve as hopeless as the rest of the men without hope.
They are in heaven now, but we will see them again. Whether death for us comes first or joy occurs, we will meet our loved ones again. And this is the hope that I keep doing it every day. Certainly, my mother is not with me now. But Jesus is with me and he is with her. He is the author of a happy ending and will pass his final plan.
Let’s pray:
Dear Jesus, the anniversary of the loss of my loved one is a difficult opportunity to face. To say I’m suffering is an understatement. I miss my loved ones and I hope they will be with me more than anything else. I know this is selfish, but that’s my feelings regardless. Please help reflect on my happy memories, thinking about my future with you. I praise you for reding us and bringing us into your kingdom. It is thanks to you that I will see my loved one again. All praise, honor, and glory belong to you, Jesus. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©GetTyimages/Justin Smith
Vivian Bricker received his Bachelor of Mission and a Master of Arts with a focus on theology. She loves theology, mission work, and everything that helps others learn about Jesus. Find out more about her content on Cultivate: https://cultivatechristianity.wordpress.com/.
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