The passing of a best friend often feels like part of your family has been ripped from you. Anger, sorrow, grief and sometimes even denial — all these and more can overwhelm you as you grapple with the tragedy.
It’s in these moments that we most need God’s peace, strength and joy. Through prayer, you can start to smile through the fog and gain enough strength to even offer comfort to others who are bereaved. Here are some comforting prayers for a best friend that passed away.
What You'll Learn Today
4x Prayer For A Best Friend That Passed Away
Prayer for Strength
Say this prayer to ask the Lord for strength in this difficult time. It’ll put you on a path to healing and lessen the sadness.
Lord, I feel crushed by the loss of my dear friend. You can see the sadness and grief in my heart. They weigh heavily on me. I have no strength of my own to rise up from the depths of this despair.
That’s why I come to you today, asking you to grant me strength and courage to keep going. The joy of the Lord is my strength. I want to feel that joy in my heart again.
Grief and sorrow threaten to overwhelm any hope and light inside me. But I know I can find refuge under your wings. I can feel joyful again, even as I grieve my deep loss.
I know the sorrow will not go completely away. There are many times now and in the future when my strength will waver, times when despair and anger might test my faith, and times when everything will feel bleak.
I will lean on your everlasting strength and love to carry me through. I know you are always there for your children. Lift me up when I feel down, fill me with hope when I feel like giving up and remind me of your love when I am lonely.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Prayer for Acceptance of Death
It’s normal to experience denial after a loss. It’s often accompanied by other emotions like anger, guilt and anxiety. Without acceptance, it is impossible to heal. This prayer will help you let go of the denial and sorrow and allow the strength and joy of the Lord into your heart.
Lord, I know you say that everything works for the good of those who love you, that there is a reason for everything that happens.
It is hard for me to believe that at the moment. My heart is filled with sorrow. I am angry and sad. It is difficult for me to accept my friend’s death. But I also know that every life belongs to you. If you saw it fit to take away my friend, then I trust in you.
I ask for strength to accept the death of my friend. May their passing make my faith even stronger as I witness all the plans you have for me. May the memory of our times together become a source of joy instead of sorrow.
Death is not the end. It’s a bridge into eternal life. I pray that I meet my friend again one day. Till then, keep them in your warm embrace.
In Jesus mighty name I pray, Amen.
Prayer for the Departed Soul
Catholic teachings encourage us to pray for the dead, especially if we are unsure of their relationship with Christ while they were alive. If your friend ended up in purgatory, praying for them could lessen how much time they spend there undergoing purification.
Heavenly Father, I come before you with a heavy heart as I offer my prayer for the departed soul of my dear friend. I humbly ask for your compassionate presence to embrace their spirit, granting them eternal rest and peace in your loving embrace.
Lord, I thank you for the gift of friendship and the countless cherished memories we shared. My friend brought joy, laughter, and support into my life, and I am forever grateful for the bond we shared. They touched the lives of many with their kindness, generosity, and compassionate spirit. Today, I offer my gratitude for the blessings they brought to this world.
I pray that you forgive their sins and purify their soul so they may gain acceptance into eternal paradise.
As their soul embarks on the journey beyond, I pray for their safe passage through the realms of the unknown. May they be guided by your divine light, may angels comfort and guide them in this transition. Grant them the strength to release any earthly burdens and find liberation in the eternal realm. Amen.
Prayer for the Bereaved Family
It’s not just you who has lost someone close to them. As you pray to God for your own strength, offer up prayers for your friend’s family as well.
Merciful God, in this moment of profound sorrow, I lift up the grieving family of my departed friend into your hands. I ask that you surround them with love, strength, and comfort as they navigate the loss of one of their own.
Lord, you are the source of all consolation and the binder of broken hearts. I pray that you wrap Your loving arms around this family, embracing them in your tender mercy. Shower them with your healing balm, soothing their pain and providing solace during this time of deep mourning.
Grant them the courage to face each day, knowing that you are with them every step of the way. Help them find strength in the memories they shared with their beloved family member. Guide them through the waves of grief, granting them the resilience to emerge stronger and more united as a family.
Provide them with a supportive community, compassionate friends, and caring souls who will stand alongside them in their journey of healing.
May your grace overflow in their lives, pouring out abundant blessings upon them. Grant them the ability to find joy amidst the sorrow, to find hope amidst the despair, and to find purpose amidst the pain. May they be reminded that their departed loved one lives on in their hearts and memories, forever cherished and never forgotten.
In your tender mercy, I offer this prayer, trusting that you will provide the comfort and support this family needs. May your grace shine upon them now and forevermore. Amen.
