A Widow’s Prayer for Comfort and Help

O merciful and gracious God, who art the Refuge of the afflicted, the forsaken and the distressed! It has pleased Thee, in accordance with Thy holy and inscrutable will, to make me a widow. My sun is gone down at noon-day, the roof of my house is fallen. I am a woman deeply afflicted; my husband is dead. Whither shall I turn? Where shall I seek counsel and help? O my God, I come to Thee. When Thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.

Thou hast promised in Thy holy Word, that Thou wilt be the Judge of the widow and the Father of the fatherless: “Thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is His name.” O be now my Husband, my Judge, my Helper, my Deliverer, my Refuge, and the Father of my children. Look upon my tears, as they roll down my cheeks, and let their supplication rise to heaven and be heard. Behold my sighing, and have mercy upon me. Grant me grace to know that, although I must live without my husband, I am not forsaken by Thee; and that, although my husband be buried, Thou, O eternal and immortal God, art not dead but livest eternally.

O, it seems as if Thou purposest by this affliction to draw my thoughts away from all creatures, that I may place my trust and hope in Thee alone. My God and Father, I believe from the heart that Thou canst protect and nourish and support me and mine without a husband. Strengthen my faith according to Thy grace and mercy. Show me a token for good; lead me as Thou didst Naomi; provide for me as Thou didst for Ruth; bless my pot of oil as Thou didst that of the widow in Israel; let not the barrel of meal waste nor the cruise of oil fail for me, even as it failed not for the widow at Zarephath. Wipe away my tears, and say unto me: “Weep not,” as Thou saidst to the widow at Nain.

O Lord, provide for my daily necessities, bless my going out and my coming in, preserve me from harm, and provide for me and mine according to Thy promise. I place all my dependence on Thee, Thou living God; I trust in Thee with all my heart and soul. Thou art all-wise; Thou knowest how to preserve me: Thou art almighty; Thou art able to protect me. Thou art rich enough to sustain and provide for me; Thou art merciful enough to give me all that I need. Thou art present everywhere, and canst assist, help, and deliver me. If the traveler depends upon his guide to show him the way, and the sick person entrusts his body and life to the care of the physician, why should not I, O almighty and all-wise God, trust in Thee, and cast myself upon Thy care? Help me, O God of my salvation, for Thy name’s sake. When my father and mother forsake me, Thou, Lord, wilt take me up. Behold, for peace I had great bitterness; but Thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption. In the multitude of my thoughts within me, Thy comforts and gracious promises delight my soul.

Grant me grace to spend the days of my lonely widowhood in faith and righteousness, to rind my joy and delight in Thee, and to give offense to none. I know full well, that she who serves God will be comforted after affliction, delivered out of trouble, and find grace after her chastenings. Therefore let me also find with Thee, O God, grace after suffering, help after affliction, joy after tears, comfort after sadness. Turn all my enemies into friends, and give me grace and favor with all people. Hear my prayer, grant me Thy blessing, lead me by Thy hand, and provide for me and mine according to Thy gracious promise. I was cast upon Thee from the womb; therefore Thou wilt now be my Guard and Shield. Thou wilt preserve me and do good unto me, till Thou shalt bring me to eternal glory, where, with joyful lips, I shall praise Thee for evermore. Amen.