Having a Grief Night
Day 339

There is great strength in community, the coming together in Christ and
building up of one another to love and good deeds. And there are times
when a person needs community more than ever. Dr. Larry Crabb shares
how his Sunday school class has responded to this need by implementing a
practice called a grief night.

"We're there basically to pour something of the reality of Christ into
the one who is bereaved," says Dr. Crabb.

Here are the steps to holding a grief night for a person who is
grieving:
1. Plan a time to meet together as a group.
2. To begin the grief night, light a candle to symbolize the one who is
not there.
3. Have others ask the grieving person random questions about the loved
one who has died to get to know the deceased individual better. "What
do you miss the most about your loved one?" "What places or smells
bring back special memories?" Also ask tough questions such as, "Did your
lost loved one make financial and other preparations for those they
would leave behind?" Let the person talk.
4. After about an hour of questions, tears, and sharing, take time to
respond to the grieving person. This is not a time for platitudes and
advice, but for a pouring out of love and connectedness from one heart to
another.
5. Next is prayer time. Have the grieving person sit in the center of
the group, and people who want to can lay their hands on the bereaved
person. Then come before God in worship and in pleading and petition for
the bereaved.
6. Last is song time. Sing favorites of the one who died or of the one
who is grieving.

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of
doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day
approaching" (Hebrews 10:25).

Loving Father, healing is possible in the community of believers. Lead
me to meet together regularly with other people who believe in You.
Amen.

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