Grief Prayer

Lord Jesus, You wept at the grave of Your friend. You knew what You would do next, but You still cried. You did not scold Mary. You did not correct Martha. You stood at the grave and let the loss be real. I have been sorry for my grief, as if it meant my faith was weak. But You wept. Help me stop apologizing. The person I lost was real. The empty chair is real. What comes later does not make this hurt less right now. Sit with me here. Let me grieve. Your promise does not rush my tears. It makes room for them. Amen.