When a loved one is nearing the end of their life, the weight of grief and the uncertainty of tomorrow can overwhelm the family left watching. In such moments, words often fail, but prayer becomes a lifeline. It is through prayer that families can find strength, peace, and the assurance that God’s presence is near even in the most painful of times.
A prayer for the family of someone dying is not only about comfort but also about hope. It invites God’s peace to settle in hearts, provides courage to face loss, and reminds the family that death is not the end for those in Christ. These prayers and scriptures speak life, healing, and faith in the midst of sorrow.
23 Prayer For Family Of Someone Dying
1. John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (KJV)
As death approaches, families can feel overwhelmed by fear and grief. This verse assures them that Jesus offers peace greater than anything the world can give. His words are a gentle reminder that hearts need not be consumed by trouble.
Lord, I pray Your peace over this family as they watch their loved one fade. Calm their troubled hearts and give them the assurance of Your presence. May fear be replaced with faith, and sorrow with Your peace.
2. Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (ESV)
Families facing the impending death of a loved one often feel crushed and broken. This verse brings assurance that God is especially close in such times of deep sorrow. His nearness is a comfort that sustains the spirit.
Father, draw near to this grieving family. Let them feel Your presence and be uplifted by Your love. Restore their hope and carry them through the heaviness of this moment.
3. Revelation 21:4
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (KJV)
The promise of eternity with God brings comfort in the shadow of death. Families can hold on to this assurance that pain and sorrow will not last forever. Death is not the end but the doorway to God’s eternal presence.
Lord, remind this family that You have prepared a place where sorrow will end. Give them comfort as they watch their loved one suffer, knowing You promise eternal peace. Let this hope lift their spirits.
4. Matthew 11:28
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (KJV)
The weight of grief is exhausting, and Jesus invites families to bring that burden to Him. His promise of rest is not just for the dying but for those left behind. This verse encourages the family to lean on Christ.
Lord, I ask You to give this family rest in their weariness. Take their burden of sorrow and replace it with Your comfort. Let them feel relief in Your loving embrace.
5. Isaiah 41:10
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (KJV)
In times of uncertainty, fear can grip a family’s heart. God’s promise here is personal and powerful—He is with them, strengthening and upholding them. This verse brings courage when hope seems to fade.
Lord, hold this family with Your righteous hand. Strengthen them when they feel weak, and remind them that You are present. May Your power carry them through this difficult time.
6. 2 Corinthians 1:3–4
“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (KJV)
God is described as the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. This verse assures families that His comfort is not temporary but overflowing. In their pain, they can rest in the arms of the One who heals hearts.
Lord, comfort this family as only You can. Wrap them in Your mercy and teach them to find rest in Your love. May they also become sources of comfort to each other through Your Spirit.
7. Psalm 23:4
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (KJV)
The valley of death feels overwhelming, but David declares God’s presence even there. Families can take comfort knowing they are not alone in this valley. God’s guidance and protection are ever-present.
Lord, walk with this family in their valley of grief. Let them feel the comfort of Your staff and the security of Your presence. May fear be replaced with trust in You.
8. Philippians 4:7
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (KJV)
God’s peace is not dependent on circumstances. This verse promises a supernatural calm that guards the heart even when grief is overwhelming. Families can cling to this assurance when facing loss.
Lord, surround this family with peace that surpasses all understanding. Keep their hearts steady in You as they face this moment. May Your presence be their anchor through sorrow.
9. Ecclesiastes 3:1–2
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.” (KJV)
This passage reminds families that life is lived within God’s seasons. Death, while painful, is also part of His divine order. Trusting God’s timing helps bring acceptance.
Lord, help this family accept the season they are in. Remind them that Your timing is perfect, even when it is hard to understand. Give them courage to face what is before them.
10. Romans 8:38–39
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (KJV)
This passage assures us that death cannot separate us from God’s love. Families can rest in the truth that their loved one remains in His eternal care. Nothing can remove them from Christ’s embrace.
Lord, thank You that death has no power over Your love. Assure this family that their loved one is safe in You. Let this promise give them hope and peace.
11. Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (KJV)
In the midst of sorrow, this verse reminds the family that God is a safe refuge. His strength becomes their shelter when their own feels gone. He is not distant but very present in their grief.
Lord, be the refuge this family needs as they face death’s shadow. Give them strength when they cannot stand on their own. Let them feel You as their ever-present help in this storm.
12. Matthew 5:4
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” (KJV)
Jesus promised comfort to those who mourn. This verse reassures families that their grief is not unnoticed, and God Himself will bring consolation. His blessing rests on those whose hearts ache.
Father, comfort this mourning family in their pain. Wrap them in Your love and let them feel the blessing of Your presence. May their sorrow be met with Your healing touch.
13. Psalm 147:3
“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” (KJV)
The pain of watching a loved one die leaves wounds too deep for human words. This verse gives assurance that God Himself heals broken hearts. He gently binds their wounds with His love.
Lord, heal this family’s broken hearts as they grieve. Bind up their wounds with Your compassion. Let Your love restore their strength day by day.
14. John 11:25–26
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” (KJV)
Jesus’ words to Martha bring hope to families in grief. Death does not have the final word because Christ is the resurrection and life. For the believer, death is the doorway to eternal life.
Lord, remind this family of the eternal life promised in Christ. Give them hope that their loved one is not lost but living in You. Strengthen their faith with this truth.
15. 2 Timothy 4:7–8
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day.” (KJV)
This verse honors the life of faith well lived. For families, it brings comfort to know their loved one’s journey ends with reward in God’s presence. It shifts focus from loss to eternal victory.
Lord, help this family see their loved one’s life as a testimony of faith. Give them peace knowing a crown of righteousness awaits. May their sorrow be transformed into gratitude.
16. Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (KJV)
Facing death requires courage, and families often feel weak. This verse reminds them that God never abandons His people. His presence ensures they are never alone.
Lord, strengthen this family with courage. Let them know You will never fail or forsake them. Help them walk through this valley with confidence in You.
17. Isaiah 57:1–2
“The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.” (KJV)
Sometimes death feels unfair, yet this verse explains that God may spare the righteous from future suffering. Families can find comfort in knowing their loved one enters peace. Death becomes rest, not loss.
Lord, help this family trust Your mercy even in loss. Remind them their loved one is safe in peace. May this truth bring healing to their hearts.
18. Romans 14:8
“For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” (KJV)
This verse affirms that life and death both belong to God. Families can take solace knowing their loved one is safe in His care. Death cannot remove them from God’s ownership.
Lord, remind this family that their loved one belongs to You. Let them rest in the assurance that nothing can snatch them from Your hand. Give them peace in this truth.
19. 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” (KJV)
Families grieve deeply, but Paul reminds believers that sorrow is not hopeless. The resurrection assures reunion with those in Christ. This hope reshapes grief into expectation.
Lord, give this family hope beyond their sorrow. Let them believe in the promise of resurrection through Christ. Fill their hearts with assurance of eternal reunion.
20. Lamentations 3:22–23
“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” (KJV)
Even in loss, God’s mercies sustain His people. Families can find comfort in knowing His compassion is renewed daily. His faithfulness holds them steady in their grief.
Lord, surround this family with Your mercies. Show them Your compassion each new day. Let Your faithfulness carry them through their sorrow.
21. 1 Peter 5:7
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (KJV)
The burdens of grief feel unbearable, but God invites families to cast them upon Him. This verse affirms His personal care. Families are reminded they do not carry sorrow alone.
Lord, I pray this family surrenders their burdens to You. Remind them of Your care and concern. Let them feel lifted as they trust You with their grief.
22. Hebrews 13:14
“For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” (KJV)
This verse reminds families that earth is not the final home. The death of a loved one highlights the hope of an eternal city with God. Grief is softened by the promise of heaven.
Lord, help this family set their eyes on the city to come. Give them peace knowing their loved one is already home. May this hope guide them through loss.
23. Psalm 30:5
“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (KJV)
Sorrow is real, but it will not last forever. God promises joy will return after the night of weeping. Families can hold on to the truth that mourning gives way to hope.
Lord, turn this family’s mourning into joy in Your time. Remind them that weeping will not last forever. Fill them with the assurance of Your favor and life.
Conclusion
Praying for the family of someone dying is a sacred act of love. It acknowledges the pain of the present while pointing to the eternal hope found in Christ. Each verse is a reminder that God is near, offering peace, comfort, and strength in the midst of grief.
Though death feels final, prayer lifts the heart toward God’s promises of eternal life and reunion. As families gather in sorrow, they can lean into His love and find the strength to carry on. May these prayers guide grieving hearts toward hope, peace, and the assurance of His unfailing presence.
