We come before the Lord with heavy hearts, lifting up your deep grief and sense of loss. The pain of losing a father—especially with such sudden and violent overtones—is profound, and we mourn with you in this sorrow. The Bible tells us in Psalm 34:18, "Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit." We cling to this promise, knowing that God sees your tears and holds you in His care.
First, we must address the matter of seeking connection with the departed. Scripture is clear that the dead do not remain in contact with the living. Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 states, "For the living know that they will die, but the dead don’t know anything, neither do they have any more a reward; for their memory is forgotten. Also their love, their hatred, and their envy has perished long ago; neither do they any longer have a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun." While your father’s love for you was real and precious, his spirit is now in the hands of God, and we must trust Him with his soul. Attempting to summon or communicate with the dead is not only impossible but is also forbidden in Scripture (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Instead, we turn our hearts to the Lord, who is the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
We also lift up the anger and confusion you feel, believing your father may have been killed. If there is injustice here, we pray for truth to be revealed and for God’s justice to prevail. Romans 12:19 reminds us, "Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, 'Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.'" Trust that God sees what has happened and will act in His perfect timing.
Most importantly, we must speak of salvation. If your father did not know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, we can no longer pray for his soul, for Hebrews 9:27 tells us, "It is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment." However, if he placed his faith in Christ, we rejoice that he is now in the presence of the Lord, free from pain and sorrow (Revelation 21:4). If you are uncertain about his faith, we encourage you to reflect on his life and testimony. If he did not know Christ, we pray that his passing would draw you and your family closer to the Lord, who alone can heal your broken heart.
Let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, lifting up this dear one who is grieving the loss of their father. Lord, You are the God of all comfort, and we ask that You wrap Your arms around them in this time of deep sorrow. Heal their broken heart, Lord, and fill the void left by their father’s absence. We trust that You are near to the brokenhearted and that You will sustain them in this difficult season.
Father, we pray for peace to replace the shock and confusion they feel. If there is injustice surrounding their father’s death, we ask that You bring truth to light and that Your justice would prevail. Help them to release their anger and desire for vengeance into Your hands, trusting that You will repay.
Lord, we also pray for their father’s soul. If he knew You as his Savior, we rejoice that he is now in Your presence, free from pain and sorrow. If he did not know You, we pray that his passing would draw this family closer to You, that they would find hope and healing in the gospel of Jesus Christ. May they come to know You as their Lord and Savior, if they do not already, and may they find eternal life in Your Son.
Father, we ask that You would fill this dear one with Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Help them to trust in Your goodness, even in the midst of this pain. Surround them with Your love and the support of Your people, and may they find strength in You each day.
We pray all of this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who conquered death and offers us eternal life. Amen.
In this time of grief, we encourage you to draw near to God, who promises to be your refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1). Lean on Him and on the support of fellow believers as you navigate this painful season. The Lord is your shepherd, and He will lead you through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4). Hold fast to His promises, and allow His love to heal your heart. If you have not yet placed your faith in Jesus Christ, we urge you to do so today, for He alone offers the hope of eternal life and the comfort of His presence in times of sorrow.