In possibly the most famous sermon in all religious literature, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). But you may be mourning right now, hurting tremendously, and wondering where the comfort is—and how you could possibly be blessed—because all you feel is pain. I am so sorry for the pain, friend, and wish I could tell you when and how an iota of comfort will come, but of course I can’t.

Yet it’s infinitely more important Jesus said the above words.

Because you can trust he will comfort you in his way and time. And when he does, your heart may just understand why you would be called “blessed.” 

I remember—fresh into my grief after my infant son died—cresting a hill and beholding a field of daisies; or sitting high atop a mountain and learning of the five stamens inside a wildflower; or, later that year, grieving deeply while putting up Christmas decorations and hearing the song “Breath of Heaven” by Amy Grant.

All of those instances could have occurred with another person and not meant anything special, but in my life—in my mourning—the God of the universe was reaching out to me, showing me his powerful and personal love for me. 

Jesus was comforting me. Only I knew, but I knew.

And to be the recipient of God’s infinite, intimate love? Well, yes, that made me feel blessed. 

Friend, I don’t know how Jesus will comfort you in your mourning, but I trust he will because we can trust his Word.

God’s love is unfailing.

And if and when the time feels right, the following Scriptures will be here for you, too. I pray they all, or just some, or even one, will provide you comfort. I have also included a personalized prayer under every verse for you to read or pray out loud, in case you find that helpful.

Grieving heart, your tears are seen, your cries are heard, and you are dearly loved.

May “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” bless you in a personal and powerful way with his Word (2 Corinthians 1:3)….

1. DEUTERONOMY 33:26-27… “There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides across the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”

Dear God, there is no one like you; you ride across the heavens to help me. You hold me in everlasting arms;

2. PSALM 23:1, 4… “The LORD is my shepherd…. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

LORD, you are my shepherd. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; you comfort me; 

3. PSALM 34:18… “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” 

Thank you, LORD, for being close to me and my broken heart; please save me, for I am crushed in spirit;

4. PSALM 63:6-8… “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.”

God, I remember you through the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you, and your right hand upholds me;

5. PSALM 91:4… “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Thank you, LORD, for your comforting, protective love; thank you for your faithfulness to me;

6. PSALM 119:52… “I remember, LORD, your ancient laws, and I find comfort in them.”

I remember your ancient words of life and love, LORD, and I find comfort in them;

7. ISAIAH 9:6… “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Thank you, God, for the gift of Jesus. Thank you for being my Wonderful Counselor, my Mighty God, my Everlasting Father, and my Prince of Peace; 

8. ISAIAH 40:11… “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”

Thank you for tending to me, God; thank you for carrying me close to your heart and gently leading me;

9. ISAIAH 51:3… “The LORD will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.”

LORD, you will surely comfort me; you will make my deserts like your garden. Joy and gladness will be found in me, thanksgiving and the sound of singing;

10. MATTHEW 11:29-30… “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Thank you, Jesus, for being gentle and humble in heart, and for letting me find rest for my soul. Please help me take your yoke of love upon me and learn from you;

11. MARK 6:31… “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Thank you, Lord, for inviting me to be with you in a quiet place and get some rest;

12. JOHN 14:27… “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Jesus, thank you for the gift of your peace. Thank you for caring about my heart; because of you I will not be afraid;

13. 2 CORINTHIANS 1:5… “For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”

Father of compassion, thank you that my comfort abounds through Christ;

14. REVELATION 22:1-2… “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”

Thank you, God, for this vision of the river of the water of life and of your throne. Thank you for the tree of life and its leaves of healing for me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.

A few more ideas, if you would like…

1.) Say or write out all the personalized prayers together, one after the next, or say or write your own prayer;

2.) Take time to ponder or even memorize one of the Scriptures you find especially meaningful;

3.) Listen to a playlist of songs I created and/or learn about God’s promises for you in the Bible. 

Remember, friend, God carries you close to his heart…. Jesus gives you his peace…. Joy and gladness will be found in you, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.