Comfort and Prayers for Bereaved Families of Thirteen U.S. Military Service Members Killed in Kabul, Afghanistan

There are times when God’s good and perfect will may not include a long life on earth for our beloved children and parents. For suddenly they have left the earth and gone to be with our LORD God and heavenly family. Because of this reality, the National Association of American Veterans, Inc. (NAAV) wants to offer special words of comfort and prayers to parents, spouses, and family members who have endured the death of a Service Member in Kabul, Afghanistan on Thursday, August 26, 2021. NAAV also remember the 2,461 U.S. Service Members who died in Afghanistan since 2001 to present.

First, the infallible Word of God gives us His promises that He will never leave or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) God’s Scripture verses give, us His truths about heaven and about His second coming to receive the body of Christ. Second, the importance of prayer. Through prayer you can take your sorrows to the Throne of God, knowing that He will hear us and will sympathize with our sorrows. When we pray, we can give all our cares to the LORD God and resting in His arms finding His comfort, love, joy, peace, and turning our sorrow into loving memories of our loved ones.

Our words can never reduce our grief and pain; however, please know that your friends and neighbors are praying for you and their many letters, cards, flowers, food, memorial gifts, calls will encourage your soul and spirt and aid in the healing process for the days, months, and years ahead.

Our time on earth is only a moment, and then we are gone home to be with the LORD God. But our heavenly Father is form everlasting to everlasting and He has prepared a place for those who live Him. So, please accept our words of comfort and hope from the Word of God.

 

Selected Bible Verses on Grief and Comfort from the KJV and NKJV of the Holy Bible

The Lord God tells us that we will have trouble, but that we can take heart because He has overcome the world! (John 16:33). Through reading the Bible scripture verses, you can be comforted by knowing that God is faithful and is always interceding for you in heaven. Nothing is life can prepare us for the death of a loved one. Death is deeply personal and final for those living on the earth, nothing can emotionally prepare us for its arrival. With every death, there is a loss of a loved one. And with every loss, there is a time of grief. Sometimes we may try to resist the pain and anxiety; however, time and memories can revisit you and our pain and anguish can return.

You can move past these feelings with help from our Lord God. You can cast all your cares (pain and grief) to the Lord through the power of prayer. It is in these difficult times that we were meant to trust in God and call upon Him for strength. We have an Almighty heavenly Father who can give us strength in good times and hard. And when you ask God for help and comfort, He promises to answer.

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It is hoped that the comforting and encouraging Bible verses and scriptures will give you a quiet time for reflection and healing from the Lord our God.

Comforting Bible Verses and Scriptures Quotes for Meditation:

For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.” (Psalm 31:10)

For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.” (Ecclesiastes 1:18)

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely, he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:3-5)

Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13: 17, 20, 21)

And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

Therefore, you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.” (John 16:22)

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15)

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:26-28)

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The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall, I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (Thessalonians 4:13-18)

(Further Comforting and Encouraging Bible Verses read: Isaiah 40:1-5; Psalm 86:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Psalm 23; Psalm 119:76; Psalm 9:9; Psalm 46:1; Psalm 116:1-2; Psalm 119:48-52; Lamentations 3:31-62; John 14:16-17; John 14:26-27; John 14: 1-3)

The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me, they rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23: 1, 4)

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.” (Isaiah 40:1)

Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break froth into singing, O mountains; for the LORD hath comforted his people and will have mercy upon his afflicted.” (Isaiah 49:13)

Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 52:9)

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For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so, shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” (1 Thessalonians 5: 17, 18, 28)

 

Prayer for Strength and Courage

Heavenly Father, I need Your help to get through the storms of life. I cannot make it on my own. I need Your power and strength to face the grief I am feeling right now. Please teach me to turn to You first for courage and strength. He me learn to patiently endure the hard times, period of grief and honor You during these times as I walk by faith. Heavenly Father, you are the comforter and the healer. I have recently lost a loved one dear to me. I do not know if I have the strength to undergo this process of grief and bereavement. Lord, in Your holy power, please grant me strength and courage to continue during these difficult days ahead. In the Lord Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

 

 

Scripture verses are taken from the KJV and the NKJV of the Holy Bible.

By Constance A. Burns, NAAV Contributor for Spiritual Wellness: email: cburns@naavets.org.

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