8 Powerful Prayers for a Spouse Who Is Grieving
After you get married, you will face grief, and so will your spouse. Your parents may pass away, and their parents may also pass away. When the family dog passes away, it can also bring grief into the household. Grief does not have a timeline, which is why it is important not to rush your spouse when they are grieving.
Sit with them in the pain. Surround them with your love. Help them to know that you are always there for them. Read Bible passages to them and pray over them. A passage I often reflect on when going through grief is Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Grief will be a new addition to your marriage. Rather than seeing grief as an undesirable thing, view it for what it is: love. The greater the grief, the greater the love.
The best thing you can do for your spouse right now is to pray for them. Be there for them, extend a shoulder to cry on, and support them. Here are 8 prayers for your grieving spouse.
1. A Prayer for God’s Comfort
1. A Prayer for God’s Comfort
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
Dear God, my spouse is going through grief. Grief is a challenging thing to navigate. I can tell my spouse is struggling with comfort. They are overwhelmed with pain and sorrow. Please surround them with Your comfort. Help them to know that You are with them in this dark season of life.
Your comfort is better than life itself. It can bring an inner sense of calm into our souls. My spouse needs this right now. I also ask that You help them be a source of comfort to others. Since they have experienced the death of a loved one, they will be able to help others who are going through the same thing. Death is terrible, but it can help us come together. Thank You for Your comfort, God. Amen.
2. A Prayer for Peace
2. A Prayer for Peace
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Dear God, my spouse does not have a sense of peace these days. Grief has taken away all their joy. At times, they just sit at the window and look outside. There is not a moment that my heart doesn't break for them. Please bring peace into their life. Encourage them to bring their requests to You today, to present them at Your feet, and to experience Your peace that surpasses all understanding.
This peace is unlike the peace the world tries to sell us. Instead, Your peace is unfathomable. I trust that You will bring this peace into my spouse’s heart. Help them to know that you are with them, You love them, and You want to hear from them. Thank You, God. Amen.
3. A Prayer for Hope
3. A Prayer for Hope
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
Dear God, grief can take away hope. Even though this is common, please help grief bring hope into my spouse’s life. Help them to remember their loved one with joy, peace, and happiness. It is painful to watch loved ones die, but it is reassuring to know they are with You. Thank You for blessing us all with this gift.
Cover my spouse with your hope, joy, and peace. Help them to cultivate their trust in You. By the power of the Holy Spirit, bring hope back into their life. Use me to be the hands and feet of Christ to my spouse. I want to do all I can to help them. In Your Son's Name, I pray, Amen.
4. A Prayer to Know God Is on Their Side
4. A Prayer to Know God Is on Their Side
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
Dear God, I praise You for always being for us and never against us. What an amazing promise! Father, please help my spouse to know this while they are grieving. It is easy to blame You for the pain. Please help them to know that You are on their side. You are not the author of death. You are the author of life.
When they grow bitter and sorrowful, cover them with love. Remind them that You are for them. Through the tears and the pain, You go before them. Thank You for covering my spouse with Your love. Amen.
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5. A Prayer to Walk through Every Hill and Valley
5. A Prayer to Walk through Every Hill and Valley
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
Dear Jesus, during times of grief, it is common to feel distant from You. This is due to the pain and anguish associated with grief. Deep sorrow can bring us closer to You, but it can also pull us away. Please help my spouse draw closer to You during this season of grief.
Even though my spouse is walking through the darkest night right now, help them to know that You are with them. Through every hill and valley, You will remain by their side. Even in their deepest sorrow and pain, You are present with them. Thank You for being there for my spouse, Lord. Amen.
6. A Prayer for Healing
6. A Prayer for Healing
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)
Dear Lord, You are our mighty Healer, Redeemer, and Savior. Nothing is too hard for You. I come before You today asking for healing. While I understand grief does not function on a timeline, I know it can be healed. Please begin the slow process of healing within my spouse’s heart. Help them to know that this is not the end.
Heal their broken heart and bind up their wounds. Turn their sorrow and pain into laughter. This may take a long time, but I trust in Your Name. Sorrow may endure for many more months or years, but You will bring joy back into their lives. I will see my spouse smile again, and for this, I give You praise. Hallelujah! Amen.
7. A Prayer for Strength
7. A Prayer for Strength
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Dear God, grief drains a person of all life and energy. I have seen this to be true in my spouse’s life. Rather than being happy, communicative, and involved, they have become sorrowful and distant. I know this is a normal part of grief, but it worries me. Please bless my spouse with Your strength, Father. Help them to know that You are with them, You are our God, You will strengthen them, and You will uphold them with Your righteous right hand.
You are our good, good Father. Thank You for always being there for us. Strengthen my spouse’s weary heart. Bring them an inner sense of strength that cannot be matched. I trust You can do all things. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.
8. A Prayer to Love Unconditionally
8. A Prayer to Love Unconditionally
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
Dear Jesus, these are Your very words. You love my spouse unconditionally. Please help me to also love my spouse without conditions. Grief can change a person and make them someone they are not. Even when my spouse pushes me away, help me to extend love to them. I understand this is a challenging time, but it can still hurt my feelings. Please give me strength when I am struggling, Lord.
Grief is part of many couples’ lives. It does not mean our marriage will end. It is a chance to grow. Please help me to be a good, supportive spouse. Cultivate a strong heart within me that reflects You, Jesus. Thank You for hearing my prayers, Lord. Amen.
Originally published January 19, 2026.
