A death of a loved one is always difficult. However, when a loved one dies from suicide, it is a special kind of difficult.
Recently, I was asked to write words of comfort to a woman who lost her son to suicide. The following reflection prayer came to my heart. It was my humble attempt to put human words to the suffering these souls experience and words they may find comfort in praying when their loved one is lost to the depths of sadness and despair.
While I was writing this in prayer, I felt laid upon my heart the need to communicate to all that the mercy of God is infinite. He desires nothing more than to hold us in His arms for eternity.
Jesus,
My heart sobs with overwhelming sadness and despair.
It seems as though the tears that flow will never end.
I am at a loss to understand; I cannot seem to bear the truth I find myself in.
Jesus, I beg of you, tell me my loved one will be saved, that this soul will not be lost.
The emotions bubbling inside spill over and the thought of despair this soul was in brings an agonizing nature to all I experience.
The hole deep within my heart aches for their life — a life gone too soon, a life worth all the stars in the skies.
Jesus, I trust in the mercy of Your Heart. I have sincere faith and hope that You will see the tears and hear the cries for mercy that bellow deep within my soul.
The heart of my loved one was so pure, so innocent, so lovely because it was created by God, but this poor soul was tormented to the point of death.
Do not let my loved one’s death be the final say; have mercy, dear Jesus, have mercy!
Have mercy on us all!
I know, Jesus, all is not lost when we put our faith and trust in You.
Forgive me, Jesus; forgive my loved one; forgive us all the sins we have committed; and do not leave us in our misery!
I surrender myself into Your Heart! It is my refuge, my solace. Jesus, may it come to be my loved one’s place of solace as well.
I trust You wholeheartedly that You will carry me through each moment. I trust in You that all is not lost.
I trust You will help me find my way through this pit of despair I find myself in.
I trust You will carry me through my sorrow.
I trust You will lead me into Your Divine Love.
I trust You will give me a taste of heavenly peace.
Mary, my mother, be a mother to me now, and be a mother to my loved one now. Now more than ever this soul needs you.
Mary, I plead to you, beg on my behalf for God’s Divine Mercy on this poor soul.
Beg that my loved one may know the peace of the Heart of Jesus, the peace they sought before they were gone too soon.
Mary, may your Immaculate Heart, the purest heart of a mother that has ever lived, cry out to God for my loved one.
Mary, in your Most Immaculate Heart, I find comfort.
Mary, I surrender myself to you because I can no longer walk, and I need you to carry me to Jesus and ask Him to heal my poor heart.
St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for me and my loved one. You held the child Jesus in your arms, and you deeply know the tenderness of His Heart.
St. Joseph, I ask that you pray for my loved one so that Jesus, in seeing His foster father’s pity for my loved one, will be so moved that He will show mercy for this soul.
My Jesus, I pray, I beg, I shout from the depths of my soul, “I surrender my heart into Yours!” I can go on no longer without Your love to carry me through.
Jesus, I entrust my heart to Yours. I entrust my loved one’s soul to You.
I know what I ask is great, but I know Your mercy is greater!
Amen, my Jesus, amen.