Two family tragedies

[LovebirdsFlying]

Our family has suffered a double whammy.

1. On the morning of Christmas Eve, my daughter passed away suddenly in our home. An hour earlier, she was cleaning the house and looking forward to helping make Christmas dinner. It happened so fast. We're not sure yet about the exact cause. Either she overdosed on something, or her body was just so ravaged, it couldn't take any more abuse. Either way, the disease of addiction killed her. She was 39 and fresh out of detox, staying with us until she could get into a long term program. I'm not going to pretend to think she stayed completely clean and sober ever since she completed detox, but when I found her, she had her bedroom door wide open. It seems to me if she had been doing something she didn't want me to know about, she would have closed it. Thank God it happened in our home, around people who loved her, instead of out there on the streets somewhere. What if we had turned her away, and then this happened? I don't think I could have faced that. The last words we spoke to each other were loving, and not some arugment. Thank God for that too.

2. While calling family to tell them about my daughter, I found out that, also just before Christmas, my sister lost her husband. It was kidney failure at 61 years old. I don't know any other details.

Please say all the prayers you can for our family.

 

[joymercy]

Dear lovebirds flying, I am so sorry for your loss. I have no words, so I turned to the internet for help. Here are some words of comfort for your grief and the grief of your entire family right now:

Powerful Prayer To Comfort A Grieving Friend In 2024

Dear Heavenly Father,

I come before You with a heavy heart, seeking solace and strength for my dear friend who is grappling with the profound pain of loss. Their world has been shaken to its core, and the weight of grief seems unbearable. In this moment of anguish, I humbly ask that You envelop them with Your divine love and comfort.

Lord, I pray that You would be their rock and their refuge, a steady presence amidst the tumultuous waves of sorrow. Grant them the courage to face each day, one step at a time, knowing that Your unwavering love surrounds them. May Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard their hearts and minds, bringing a sense of calm in the midst of this storm.

I ask that You fill their broken heart with Your healing balm, mending the wounds that seem too deep to heal. Remind them that though the pain is great, Your grace is greater still. Surround them with Your loving embrace, reminding them that they are never alone, for You are the God who sees and understands their tears.

Lord, I pray that You would send Your comforting presence through the loving support of family and friends. Use us as vessels of Your love, offering words of encouragement, shoulders to lean on, and ears to listen. May our presence be a tangible reminder of Your steadfast love and care.
In this time of sorrow, I ask that You would give my friend a renewed sense of hope – a hope that transcends the pain of the present and looks forward to the promises of eternity. Remind them that this life is but a fleeting moment, and that one day, all tears will be wiped away, and they will be reunited with their loved one in Your glorious presence.

Father, I trust in Your sovereign plan, even when it seems incomprehensible to us. Grant my friend the strength to walk through this valley of grief, knowing that You are with them every step of the way. May they emerge from this season with a deeper understanding of Your love and a renewed appreciation for the preciousness of life.

In the mighty name of Jesus, I offer this prayer, believing that You are the God who comforts the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Amen.

 

[Pop D.]

Heavenly Father, Holy is Your Name, we pray You will comfort and heal Lovebird's family of their losses, as only You can do, in the Name of Jesus. Please be there for them Lord. Amen and Amen.

 

[linux.poet]

Dear Lord Jesus, who is a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief,
My heart reaches out on behalf of this family, who have lost two members of their family in such a short span of time, and worse yet, one of them so young. Please be with them to comfort them in this time of suffering as the God of all comfort. I pray for wisdom for the doctors who may be examining LoveBirdsFlying's daughter, that they may be honest, considerate, and forthright in communication with the family. I pray for wisdom for this grieving family as they deal with the details of death, such as belongings and money and arrangements, that they may act in a way as to not prolong their suffering.

I lift up the sister of LoveBirdsFlying as well, that she may receive the support she needs to get through this season of grief. May those around her show her appropriate consideration for her losses during this time of the holidays where many are expected to be celebrating. Indeed, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Please comfort those who have lost those in Christ, that they may experience healing and renewal.
In Christ's Name, Amen.

May the Lord use my feeble words for his glory and honor, and may the Lord help us all. This is the kind of grief where I need faces and emotions to really know what to say, but dear Jesus, please fill in the gaps for all of those feelings that I do not know about and cannot speak to. Amen.

 

[joymercy]

Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Jesus, I love you, Jesus, I trust in you

Jesus, you are my God and my King

Comfort me in my affliction

I come to you weak and suffering

for my battle is long, and my flesh is weak

restore unto me the strength of your arm

I cry out to you!

O, Lord, hear my prayer!

 

[RileyG]

May God comfort you in his love

MY sincere condolences

 

[joymercy]

Psalm 77

I cry aloud to God,
cry aloud to God that he may hear me.

In the day of my distress I sought the Lord.
My hands were raised at night without ceasing;
my soul refused to be consoled.
I remembered my God and I groaned.
I pondered and my spirit fainted.

You withheld sleep from my eyes.
I was troubled, I could not speak.
I thought of the days of long ago
and remembered the years long past.
At night I mused within my heart.
I pondered and my spirit questioned.

Will the Lord reject us for ever?
Will he show us his favor no more?
Has his love vanished for ever?
Has his promise come to an end?
Does God forget his mercy
or in anger withhold his compassion?”

I said: This is what causes my grief;
that the way of the Most High has changed.”
I remember the deeds of the Lord,
I remember your wonders of old,
I muse on all your works
and ponder your mighty deeds.

Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?
You are the God who works wonders.
You showed your power among the peoples.
Your strong arm redeemed your people,
the sons of Jacob and Joseph.

The waters saw you, O God,
the waters saw you and trembled;
the depths were moved with terror.
The clouds poured down rain,
the skies sent forth their voice;
your arrows flashed to and fro.

Your thunder rolled round the sky,
your flashes lighted up the world.
The earth was moved and trembled
when your way led through the sea,
your path through the mighty waters
and no one saw your footprints.

You guided your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Father, you established your ancient covenant by signs and wonders, but more wondrously you confirmed the new one through the sacrifice of your Son. Guide your Church through the pathways of life, that we may be led to the land of promise and celebrate your name with lasting praise.

 

[Michie]

Our family has suffered a double whammy.

1. On the morning of Christmas Eve, my daughter passed away suddenly in our home. An hour earlier, she was cleaning the house and looking forward to helping make Christmas dinner. It happened so fast. We're not sure yet about the exact cause. Either she overdosed on something, or her body was just so ravaged, it couldn't take any more abuse. Either way, the disease of addiction killed her. She was 39 and fresh out of detox, staying with us until she could get into a long term program. I'm not going to pretend to think she stayed completely clean and sober ever since she completed detox, but when I found her, she had her bedroom door wide open. It seems to me if she had been doing something she didn't want me to know about, she would have closed it. Thank God it happened in our home, around people who loved her, instead of out there on the streets somewhere. What if we had turned her away, and then this happened? I don't think I could have faced that. The last words we spoke to each other were loving, and not some arugment. Thank God for that too.

2. While calling family to tell them about my daughter, I found out that, also just before Christmas, my sister lost her husband. It was kidney failure at 61 years old. I don't know any other details.

Please say all the prayers you can for our family.

I’m so sorry! Prayers for all of you.