A Prayer for Turning Over Fear of Losing a Loved One - Your Daily Prayer - June 18
June 18, 2024
A Prayer for Turning Over Fear of Losing a Loved One
By Heidi Vegh
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” - 1 John 4:18
The thought of losing someone we love can be all-consuming. We think about the loss and how much it would hurt, and we cringe. We let worry take over our hearts that tragedy could strike at any moment. We hear stories about fluke accidents that take children or spouses too soon. We witness friends and family and strangers in the news face devastating loss and feel extreme relief that it is not us, but we fear that one day it will be. We believe the lie that if that happened to us, we could not survive. We feel as though we would fall over dead at the news of such profound loss.
Living in these fears is a strategic tactic of the enemy to steal our joy. The enemy's sole agenda is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). He wants us tangled up in worry and consumed with thoughts of the worst. He wants us lost in fear so much that we can't enjoy the precious moments with the people around us. When these thoughts consume us, we must take them to the Lord. We must rebuke the enemy's lies and ask God to fill us with a peace that only He can provide. Jesus offers a peace that runs so deep that we can say, "Even if" the worst happens, I will be ok, and God will never leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). When we can allow ourselves to get through the worst-case scenario and imagine ourselves on the other side, that is where we can find peace.
This means completely surrendering our fears to the Lord. Completely surrendering our loved ones. We trust that He will meet us in that deep pain and give us the strength to survive the loss and watch Him work it all for good. (Romans 8:28). I witnessed this firsthand when I watched my husband die from cancer at thirty-three, leaving me alone with two small children. Over the last decade, I have seen miracle after miracle as God has given me the strength and ability to rebuild my life. I can see God's hand working in all the grief and pain, bringing me to the other side. This is not to say that I don't still grieve my loss and suffer its consequences, but God has shown up so powerfully in my life that I can't deny His presence with me every step of the way.
Let's pray:
Lord, please protect the people that I love most. Protect their bodies, minds, and hearts. Protect them from disease, accidents, and injury. Surround them with a legion of angels. But even as I pray, Lord, I am afraid. I am so scared of losing the people that I love the most. The fear consumes me, and worry overtakes my thoughts. I need your peace, Lord. I need to trust you even if the worst-case scenario becomes a reality. Please help me know you better, trust you more, and live a life free of fear. I want to live in your perfect love, a love that casts out fear (1 John 4:18). I want to live a joy-filled life filled with purpose and enjoyment. I rebuke the enemy who wants to steal the time that I do have with my loved ones. I rebuke the fear that grips me. I rebuke the lies that I could not survive the loss. I rebuke the idea that I would crumble and my life would turn to shambles if I lost a loved one. I trust that even if I lose a loved one, you will work it for your good, ultimately bringing beauty from ashes and flowing streams of living water in the deserts. I chose to live in your peace and joy today. I chose you over fear, and I chose today your promises over the lies of the enemy.
In your precious name, we pray, Jesus, amen.
Heidi Vegh is a writer, speaker, and ministry leader based in Western Washington. A remarried mother of four, she is navigating blended family life after losing her first husband to cancer in 2013. Through her writing and speaking, Heidi encourages those who have experienced loss, offering hope and practical guidance for the journey toward healing and renewed life.
She is the author of The Hard Journey to the Good: A Widow’s Journey from Loss to New Life, a heartfelt account of grief, faith, and rebuilding after devastating loss, available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
You can find Heidi at her website mrsheidivegh.com where she shares devotionals and reflections on grief, healing, motherhood, faith, and the beauty and complexity of blended family life through her monthly newsletter. She holds a degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University and serves as Ministry Director at her local church, where she is passionate about helping women grow in faith and experience the transforming love of Jesus.
You can find her on Instagram @mrsheidivegh and SubStack: https://substack.com/
Related Resource: 5 Things Parents Need to Tell Their Kids About War Right Now
When war dominates the headlines, parents are left asking an important question: How do we talk to our kids about it? In this episode of March or Die, Jeremy Stalnecker shares practical and biblical principles for guiding young people through confusing and frightening global events.
Drawing from his experience as a Marine who lived through the wars following 9/11, Jeremy explains why moments of global conflict can become powerful opportunities for parents to teach their children about courage, faith, and moral clarity. Rather than avoiding difficult conversations, parents can use them to help their kids understand fear, the reality of evil in the world, and the responsibility we have to stand for what is right.
This conversation explores how parents can alleviate fear, explain why conflict exists, and demonstrate a faith-filled response when the world seems chaotic. Jeremy also discusses the importance of teaching children the difference between necessary and unnecessary violence, why standing against evil matters, and how faith in God provides stability even in uncertain times. If this episode of March or Die helped your spiritual perspective, be sure to follow the show on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
