Preface

P reface

God brings each Christian many blessings, but none of us can avoid the pain of loss. Since the Fall, humanity has sorrowed over the death of loved ones and struggled to understand why physical and emotional havoc occur.

Losses cause great pain and doubt. Many emotions make up sorrow, but the pain does not end there. Often those of us who grieve struggle with prayer. As our minds race along painful paths or barely seem to function, communion with God can become a sacrifi ce instead of a simple joy. But because prayerlessness harms spiritual development, we need to make efforts to speak with the Creator.

Those who hurt often need help to focus on one idea at a time or require a starting place for their own prayers. In these pages are petitions, words of thanksgiving, and praises that can act as a starting point for personal prayer or stand alone. However you use them, I hope they will help draw you nearer to the Lord. Each griever who trusts Jesus as Savior can be certain He is close at hand, willing to lift up and encourage the hurting heart that has confessed sin to Him and sought forgiveness. His are the promises in these pages, and He will faithfully keep each one.