Comfort to those who lost a loved one this year

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
     and provide for those who grieve in Zion--
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair (Isaiah 61:1-3).

Prayer: Father, comfort everyone who lost a loved one this year. Strengthen them. Rub balm on the spots in their hearts where there is now a void. Merciful Father, hug them each day in the name of Jesus. Amen.