Our hearts break for your friend in this time of unimaginable grief, and we lift her up before the Lord, knowing that He is the God of all comfort who draws near to the brokenhearted. The loss of a child is a pain no parent should ever have to bear, and while justice has been served in the earthly sense, we understand that it cannot bring back her son or fully heal the wound in her soul. Yet we cling to the truth that God is sovereign, and though we may not understand His purposes in this life, He is working all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
First, let us address the idea that "God took him away for a reason." While it is true that nothing happens outside of God’s sovereignty, we must be careful not to attribute the evil actions of man directly to God’s will. Scripture tells us in James 1:13, *"Let no man say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one."* The shooting was an act of evil, and while God allowed it, He did not cause it. Instead, we can trust that God is redeeming even this tragedy for His glory and her ultimate good. Romans 8:28 reminds us, *"We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose."* In this, we find hope—not that the loss itself is good, but that God will use it to draw her closer to Him, to strengthen her faith, and to bring about His purposes in ways we cannot yet see.
As for justice, we understand her struggle. Earthly justice, while necessary, is often incomplete. The killer’s conviction does not restore what was lost, and it cannot satisfy the deep longing for her son’s presence. Yet we are reminded in Romans 12:19, *"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.’"* True justice will only be fully realized in the day of the Lord, when every wrong will be made right. Until then, we must trust that God sees her pain, that He is just, and that He will one day wipe away every tear. Revelation 21:4 promises, *"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away."*
For your friend’s mourning heart, we turn to the psalms, where David and others poured out their grief before the Lord. Psalm 34:18 says, *"Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit."* She is not alone in her sorrow; the Lord is with her, collecting her tears in His bottle (Psalm 56:8). Let her cry out to Him, for He hears her. Psalm 147:3 assures us, *"He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds."* Her healing will not come quickly, nor will it erase the memory of her son, but in time, God will bring a peace that surpasses understanding if she continues to seek Him.
We also encourage her to fix her eyes on the hope of the resurrection. Jesus said in John 11:25-26, *"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"* Her son is not lost to her forever. If he knew Christ as his Savior, she will see him again in the presence of the Lord, where there is no more pain or separation. If his salvation was uncertain, she can still trust that God is merciful and just, and she can commit her son into His hands, knowing that His judgments are perfect.
Let her also remember that her son’s life had purpose, even if it was cut short. Every day he lived was part of God’s plan, and his story is not over. His life touched others, and his memory can continue to point people to Christ. In the midst of her grief, she can honor him by living a life that reflects the hope she has in Jesus.
Now, let us pray together for your friend:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, lifting up our sister who is walking through the valley of the shadow of death. Lord, her pain is deep, and the weight of her loss feels unbearable. We ask that You, the God of all comfort, would wrap Your arms around her and hold her close. Remind her that You are near to the brokenhearted, that You see her tears, and that You are collecting each one as a testament to her love for her son.
Father, we pray that You would help her to understand that while earthly justice has been served, true justice and healing will only come from You. Comfort her with the knowledge that her son is safe in Your presence if he knew You, and that she will see him again one day. If his salvation was uncertain, we ask that You would give her peace, knowing that You are a just and merciful God.
Lord, we pray that You would surround her with Your peace, which surpasses all understanding. Guard her heart and mind in Christ Jesus, and protect her from bitterness or despair. Give her the strength to face each day, and fill her with Your hope, which does not disappoint.
We ask that You would provide godly friends and counselors to walk beside her in this time, people who will point her to You and remind her of Your promises. Help her to cling to You, even when she doesn’t feel Your presence, and to trust that You are working all things together for her good.
Father, we rebuke the enemy who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. We declare that he has no place in her life, and we ask that You would bind him from bringing further pain or confusion. Fill her instead with Your Spirit, who brings life, peace, and comfort.
Finally, Lord, we pray that through this tragedy, her faith would grow stronger, and that she would find a deeper intimacy with You. Use her story to bring glory to Your name, and to draw others to Yourself. We ask all these things in the precious and powerful name of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.
To your friend, we say: Do not rush your grief. It is okay to mourn, to weep, and to question. But do not let go of God’s hand in the process. He is your anchor in this storm. Cling to His promises, even when they feel distant. Read His Word daily, even if it’s just a verse or two. Let the psalms be your prayer when you cannot find the words. And remember, you are not alone—we are standing with you, praying for you, and believing that God will carry you through this.
If she is struggling with anger toward God, remind her that He can handle her honesty. He already knows her heart, and He invites her to bring her pain to Him. Let her pour it out before Him, and trust that He will meet her there.
Lastly, encourage her to seek godly counseling if she hasn’t already. Grief this deep is not meant to be carried alone, and there is no shame in needing help. The body of Christ is here to support her, and professional Christian counselors can provide tools to help her navigate this journey.
We will continue to pray for her, that God would restore her joy, that He would give her glimpses of His goodness even in the darkness, and that He would use this time to draw her closer to Himself. May she find rest in His presence, and may she one day look back and see how He carried her through.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. 
