A Prayer about Feeling Lonely during the Holidays

Very-Near Lord,

There’s nothing like the holidays 

to make those who are grieving 

feel a little lonely and forsaken. 

People may be mingling in our home, 

and yet we feel more deserted 

than a mall on Christmas morning. 

Or, we may be truly alone,

 because we can’t summon the energy 

to make small talk at Friendsgiving. 

In such seasons, 

may we know your nearness and commitment 

to never leave us nor forsake us. 

May we remember that there was One 

who knew a loneliness even deeper than ours 

when he submitted to dying for our sins 

that we might be reunited with our Heavenly Father. 

In our season of feeling lonely and forsaken, 

may we lean hard into the covenantal kindness 

of the Son through your Spirit, 

our constant companion in grief and sorrow. 

In Jesus’ forsaken name. Amen.

Read Deuteronomy 31:8; Psalm 34:18; Isaiah 54. 

Want to read more about thanking God while we live in the “already” and “not yet”? I’ve begun two new newsletters on Substack, one on living in hope in the already and not yet, and the other on aging, caregiving, and the end of life. Please check them both out!