When Words Fall Short: The Power of Praying With Someone Who’s Lost
Loss has a way of quieting us. It humbles every word we might try to offer. When someone we love is grieving, most of us want to help—but often we freeze, unsure of what to say or how to make a difference.
Today I want to talk about what made the most difference in my life when I miscarried. I have 3 beautiful children on earth and 2 in heaven. I remember those first hours after experiencing the loss. The world seemed to stop and everything moved so slowly. I didnt want to do anything or talk, I felt so dead on the inside.
With my second miscarriage, I was given the news that the baby was gone at 11 weeks but I was still carrying. It was an awful time of waiting. The same day I found out a couple of my best friends wanted to come over to check on me. In full honestly I didn’t want to see anyone. I had just found out and the last thing I wanted was to talk.
Well let me tell you what my dear friends did for me that day was simple but so impactful.
They prayed. They came over and didn’t ask questions or make chit chat. They held me, cried with me and prayed God’s word.
Prayer is powerful. It doesn’t just bring comfort; it ushers God Himself into the moment. When we pray with someone who’s hurting, we’re inviting the presence of the Comforter—the One who heals, sustains, and restores—to draw near.
Prayer Is Not Small
It’s easy to underestimate prayer, to think it’s what we offer when we can’t “do” more. But Scripture shows the opposite. Prayer is the work. It moves mountains, changes hearts, and brings heaven’s peace into earth’s pain.
When someone is grieving, our natural instinct might be to offer food, flowers, or space—and all of that can be good. But the most powerful thing we can offer is our willingness to stop, take their hand, and pray.
Don’t underestimate what happens when two people—one broken, one standing beside them—come before God together. He hears. He comforts. He acts.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18
Pray the Word
When you don’t know what to pray, pray God’s Word. His promises never return void (Isaiah 55:11). They carry weight, power, and life.
You might whisper:
“Lord, You promise to comfort those who mourn. Wrap Your arms around her right now. Remind her she’s seen and loved by You.”
Or pray a verse aloud, gently speaking truth over pain:
Isaiah 41:10 — “Do not fear, for I am with you.”
Psalm 147:3 — “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Romans 8:26 — “The Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
You don’t need eloquence—you need faith.
Give a Meaningful Gift
I created the Forget Me Not print as a visual reminder that God remembers every tear and every name. It’s one of my favorite pieces to gift someone who’s grieving — you can find it in the shop here.
Be Bold in Love
We live in a world that’s quick to send a message but slow to pray in person. Yet the moments that change people are often the ones where someone simply says, “Can I pray for you right now?”
Whether someone you love is grieving or even just going through a hard time dont just say I will pray for you. Stop right there and pull them aside and actually pray with them. I have found that on almost all occasions there can be time for this.
I hope this was an encourgament to you today.
God Bless,
Erika Lane