A home has burned down. How do you pray about something like that?
We’re so sorry you, or someone you know has lost their home to a fire. It’s devastating news to receive, and even more so if you’re the one living through it right now.
Hopefully, the only tragedy is loss of possessions, not any loss of life.
A hundred and one questions can be twirling around in your head, but most of them begin with Why? Why did this happen to your friend, or neighbor, or co-worker–to you? I don’t have answers to those questions, but I do know you can pray to God about them all.
The news may be so fresh that you still have tears streaming from your eyes, awash in sorrow. Grab hold of the truth that your weeping is a form of prayer in itself, and the Psalmist reminds us, “You have taken account of my miseries; Put my tears in Your bottle” (Psalm 56.8, NASB).
Whether you clicked on this website searching for prayers for yourself, or for someone else, you can gain strength in the truth that “The Lord will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail” (Isaiah 58.11, NIV).
Whatever your reason, know that the five prayers below are for you, to help you. They are written for you to use and even serve as a beginning point for your own prayers to come forth. We invite you to unload your burden by sharing your request for prayer at the end of this article, in the comments section.
Prayer for Neighbor Who Lost Home in a Fire
O God, our neighbor (name) just lost their home due to a fire. We stood out in the street and watched it burn down while we tried to comfort them.
It sounds sort of odd to give thanks to you that there was no loss of life when they are facing the destruction of everything they own. We’ll try to help them anyway we can, but Lord I ask for your provision over them in the coming days.
I ask for your Spirit to help them make sense of this tragedy in their lives. I can guess that they have so many questions they are asking. I pray for you to be their answer and they seek you.
They have to start all over with just the clothes on their backs, so they are in deep need and seeking direction. May you guide them Lord, in their next steps, from getting clothes to wear to finding a place to stay.
I ask for favor with their insurance company, that there be no obstacles to them getting all the money they need from their policy. I pray for efficiency and kind attention throughout the process.
Even as a I cry for them, I pray for each person in the family, in the healing power of the Provider, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Prayer for Co-Worker Who Lost Home in a Fire
Father in heaven, I come to you in prayer for my co-worker (name) who lost his home in a terrible fire last night. I have no idea how he feels right now, and I can barely find words to pray, but I lift (name) to you right now.
Surround him with your peace and comfort. There must be so many questions going through his head. Grant him clarity of thought. Grant him a clear path to know who to contact. I pray for you to help him find a place to stay quickly.
I thank you that his insurance was paid up and will eventually enable him to get a new home and replace his possessions. But I know (name) has precious mementos that can never be replaced–photos of family and letters from friends and families.
He is so distraught so I ask that in my encounters with (name), I can be a peaceful and calming presence for him. I don’t want to add to his stress by asking an ill-conceived question or saying something dumb. Give me encouraging and uplifting words for him, God.
I pray for (name) that each next moment be one guided and surrounded by your care, in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Prayer for My Family as We Lost Our Home in a Fire
God, I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut.
Yesterday, my home, my family’s home burned down to the ground. The firefighters did all they could, but it was too late. Basically everything I own is gone. Lord, what are we to do?
I can feel the memories around the dinner table, the arguments and tears and celebrations that happened there, and that’s all gone.
I see the bed where we chased nightmares away and read children’s books for our kids–all gone. And now I’m living, we’re all living a nightmare that can simply be chased away by a flashlight under the bed. God help us!
Home may be where the heart is, but right now I’m looking at burning embers where our home used to stand. It hurts so bad, Lord, I almost don’t have any feeling left.
God, I thank you that the fire alarm worked and we got out. My family is alive.! We only have our pajamas and our two cars. At least we can go to the store and get clothes. I’m grateful in the midst of feeling adrift.
I have no idea where we’re going to stay or how my kids are going to go to school and so many other things that keep popping up in my head right now. I only have the moment I have right now, so I’m using it to pray to you my God.
My needs are great and increasing by the moment. I can’t keep track of it all, Lord, so please help think clearly. Send someone to help, as we can’t handle this on our own. You are our Rock and our Salvation, so grant us a solid place on which to stand right now, Lord.
I offer this prayer with a broken heart and open hands, Father God. Bring restoration and provision to us in the name of the Risen Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.
A Short Prayer for Strangers Who Lost Their Home in a Fire
Dear God, I’m watching the news and I see where a fire has taken a family’s home from them. I don’t even know these people and yet I have tears in my eyes as I think about what they may be facing.
If there’s a place to donate to them, help me to find it so I can help, Lord. I pray for their peace, for their provision, for their safety, for their anxious thoughts, and for their strength. Cover them with your presence, O God, in the name of Jesus the Messiah, Amen.
Prayer After Having Lost a Home in a Fire
Father God, I lost my home in a fire a couple of months ago and I can still smell the smoke in my nostrils.
You’ve done so much to help us find a place to live for a while. Neighbors and strangers have somehow found us and provided precise things we needed, like backpacks for our kids for school, and underwear and toothbrushes and toiletries and gas cards and a host of other things. Thank you Lord!
The insurance company has finally done all the investigation they needed to do and we’ll be receiving funds to help us get into another house, so praise you for provision.
This has been so disruptive and scary for us all. Continue to show us your path and walk with us, enveloping us in your peace and calmness. It feels like our lives will always be known by B.F., Before Fire, and A.F., After Fire.
Please ease my worried thoughts in the weeks ahead. This whole ordeal has been harder to process than I imagined. Guide me to someone to talk with about post-traumatic stress. I ask all these things in the name of the Great Provider, Jesus, Amen.
Concluding Thoughts
No one can truly understand what you are going through if you’ve lost your home in a fire, but we hope these five prayers have given you a measure of comfort and guidance. And hope for a better tomorrow.
Even if you are praying for someone else and their loss, at times it can be difficult to give voice to your feelings and emotions, especially in the face of a tragedy like a house burning down.
Take courage in this truth, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31.8, NIV).
God is Emmanuel every day and night, not just during the Christmas season when we sing of him with this title. Knowing that God’s presence is, indeed present, can be a mighty healing and strength. We hope you never have need of these prayers.
But if you do, or someone you know does, please pray the prayers and share them with those in need of help that can only come through prayer to God. We also invite you to share your own prayer requests below in the comments section.
