A Prayer for the Anniversary of the Loss of a Loved One - Your Daily Prayer - May 14
A 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 uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of humankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
Read or Listen Below:
Every year in October, I’m reminded of the days leading up to my mother’s death. It has been almost a decade since my mom passed away, yet the memories are burned into my mind. I remember waking up early and talking with my mom before she left for the hospital. I was the only person awake besides my mom and my dad, and my dad was pulling up the car for my mom since she was having struggles with walking due to weakness. This was the last time I talked with my mom one-on-one at home.
She told me that she was going to get help and that she would be home soon. When my mom stepped out on the front porch and left me inside, something told me she wasn’t coming home. Looking out our French doors, I saw my mom standing there in the early morning October light, and it all hit me. I remember this moment as if it were yesterday, as it is a memory that will never leave me. It was the last time my mom would even stand on her own porch or grace our home with her presence.
My mom was admitted to the hospital and shortly transferred for emergency surgery. After her surgery, she was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). My mom had been to the hospital before, but she had never been admitted to the ICU. I was not prepared to see my mom hooked up to machines. My mom, who was full of life and strength, was now motionless and unconscious, unable to have the strength to beat her own heart anymore. To say this changed my life forever is an understatement, as I’m still seeing all these years later how much my mom’s death has impacted my life.
My mom stayed in the ICU for ten days before she passed away. She passed away in the early morning hours in mid-October. My dad had received the call that he needed to get there because my mom didn’t have much time left. By the time my dad got there, she had already passed away. And just like that, my mom had left this world, and I would never see her on this side of Heaven again.
I was only a teenager when this happened, so you can imagine how difficult it was to process. I remember cutting my hair very short the day after, and to this day, I cannot tell you why. My therapist said it was a trauma response, but why I did it, I don’t know. I’ve noticed many other trauma responses since my mom passed away, such as insomnia, crying all the time, and feeling overall depressed, even when the day is sunny and bright. My mom’s death altered my entire life, and I cannot say there was any redeeming impact of her death.
Death is bad, and we don’t need to be quick to invalidate others’ pain. To say, “They are with the Lord now,” doesn’t help at the present time. While I cannot speak for everyone, I can acknowledge that I’m selfish and I want my mom to be with me. Don’t we all want our loved ones to stay with us forever? Sadly, the fall of man is what brought death into the picture, but death is not the final ending.
The Apostle Paul tells us, “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of humanity, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). As Paul says in this passage, we don’t need to grieve like the rest of men who have no hope because we know just as Jesus rose from the dead, so will our loved ones.
They are in Heaven right now, but we will see them again. Whether death for us comes first or the rapture happens, we will see our loved ones again. And this is the hope that keeps me going every day. Sure, my mom isn’t with me right now; however, Jesus is with me, and He is with her too. He is the Author of happy endings and will bring His final plan to pass.
Let’s Pray:
Dear Jesus, the anniversary of the loss of my loved one is a hard occasion to face. To say I’m in pain and anguish is an understatement. I miss my loved ones and want them to be with me more than anything. I know this is selfish, but it is my feelings regardless. Please help me reflect on the happy memories while also thinking about my future with you. I praise You for redeeming us and bringing us into Your Kingdom. It is because of you that I will see my loved one again. All praise, honor, and glory belong to You, Jesus. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Justin Smith
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