A Prayer Through Tears for Those Who Have Lost Babies

Losing a baby is one of the most painful experiences we can have in this life.

We’re coming up to Good Friday and Easter, the Christian celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

I know that many of my readers are walking through deep pain right now–readers who would love to have a baby to hold, but don’t either because of infertility or because of miscarriage and baby death.

As I’ve shared before, and as I’ve written about in my book How Big Is Your Umbrella, my baby boy passed away when he was 29 days old. The idea of losing a son has always had special significance to me and my husband.

For twelve years I wrote a column in our local paper and several others, and one of the most popular columns I ever wrote was a prayer for those who had lost babies (even secular papers published it!). And I thought I would run it for all of you today, since tomorrow is Good Friday and we’ll all be remembering that God also went through this pain–the pain of watching a child die.

When a child dies it feels as if the physical laws of the universe have been violated.

You needed that child far more than you need the very oxygen you breathe, and yet that child is gone, and your lungs keep working. Your very breath is a betrayal, and squeezes your chest worse than any violence ever could. So I pray that you will be able to take each breath, and that eventually simply living won’t hurt like this anymore.

And I pray that in your grief you and your spouse will be able to turn to each other. The death of a child strains a marriage in a way little else does. It’s not fair, but you face a crossroads. I pray you will walk this valley together, and that the journey will strengthen you, rather than separate you.

I pray that people will surround you with practical help, that they will hug and that they will listen. I pray that your friends won’t scatter because they feel awkward, but that they will be patient, even when the grief seems to be lasting longer than others think it should. I pray that if your grief is from a miscarriage or a stillbirth, people will still understand the depth of your pain.

I also pray that you will be able to take each day as it comes.

When a child dies, and especially a baby who did not have the chance to become part of your daily routine, on the outside it is almost as if he or she never existed. And yet, for you that child was your very heart. If you let go of the grief, it is as if you are letting go of the last thing that ties you to your baby. Remember, though, that grief is not something that disappears. Sometimes grief is overt, but other times you feel fine. I pray that you will embrace those moments when you feel peace, because there will be moments—even if it’s days, weeks, or years later—when the grief will return, unbidden, in full force. Be grateful for good days and do not feel guilty for them. Smiling is not betraying your child.

At the same time, I pray that when those good days become the norm, even if it’s years down the road, that you will not feel like you are going crazy if the grief suddenly hits you hard again.

You’re not regressing, or starting at square one. This is the way of grief, and know that it never completely disappears. If we are honest, we probably wouldn’t want it any other way. So I pray that in those moments when you can’t breathe again that you will still experience peace, and know that this intensity will again subside.

I pray that you will remember that everyday that passes is not one more day further away from your child, but instead one more day that you are closer to meeting him or her again.

And finally, I pray that one day you will be able to remember with laughter, and not just with tears.

Amen.

My son Christopher the day before his surgery.

Have a blessed Easter weekend, everyone. And remember–Easter is only a celebration because Good Friday came. Pain is a part of life, but the good news is that God has redeemed that pain through Jesus!