Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. (Romans 12:15 NIV)
Yesterday a friend asked me to pray for her son-in-law’s cousin and her husband who lost an eight-month old baby, evidently to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. I don’t even know the parents and other family members would process such an unexpected loss. I can only imagine the heartache, but I know the One who meets them in their grief and dries their tears. Would you join me in praying for this family and other families who have lost babies to SIDS?
God of Comfort,
Today, we come before you to intercede for this young family and all families who have lost babies to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. We ask that you comfort the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, and all who loved these precious babies. Reveal your loving heart to them through your steady presence, through the peacefulness of nature, and through the kindness of others. We pray that the river of your peace, which surpasses understanding, would surround and fill them. Hold them close so that their shock, grief, and sorrow do not overwhelm them. Provide for their emotional, financial, and relational needs. Protect their marriages from being damaged by this tragedy. In your grace, draw them nearer to you, that they may cling to your promises and find comfort in you.
We also ask for wisdom to be poured out upon researchers and anyone who can help uncover the cause of SIDS. We pray for protection over every baby, so that no other family has to endure the loss of an infant. Yet, today we especially pray for those who are grieving. Be attentive to their cries for mercy, wipe away their tears, and be their everlasting light. We ask this in Jesus’s name. Amen.
Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy. (Psalm 130:1-2 NIV)
Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. (Isaiah 60:20 NIV)
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4 NIV)
And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. (Philippians 4:7 AMP)