In this episode, Matthew Lilley, Jonathan Friz, and Weslea Pierson discuss the often-overlooked topic of grief within the church. They explore how grief is a gift from God, the importance of learning to grieve well, and how to support those who are mourning.

Weslea shares her personal journey through pain, healing, and the tension between experiencing miracles and mourning. The conversation emphasizes the need for empathy, understanding, and creating space for those in grief, highlighting that true comfort comes from experiencing God's presence in our pain.

The conversation explores the complexities of grief, faith, and the importance of lament in worship. They discuss personal experiences with waiting and how it tests faith, the significance of community support during grief, and practical approaches to comforting those who are grieving.

These important topics are expounded on in Weslea’s brand new book, To Weep With Those Who Weep, which is available now!

• Grief is a gift from God.
• The church often struggles with how to respond to grief.
• Experiencing pain can deepen our understanding of God's comfort.
• We need to learn how to grieve well and help others do the same.
• Miracles and mourning can coexist in our faith journey.
• Jesus wept over Lazarus, showing us the importance of empathy in grief.
• It's essential to create space for those who are grieving to express their feelings.
• Less is more when comforting someone in pain; listening is key. We often rush to fill silence with words instead of allowing space for grief.
• God welcomes our raw emotions, including anger and frustration.
• Lament is a significant aspect of worship and prayer.
• Communities often lack rituals for grieving, leading to isolation.
• The journey of grief is unique and requires personal reflection.

Click here for a free book - The Dance and The Dirge: The Pain and Pleasure of Prayer and Fasting by Jonathan Friz and Matthew Lilley.

The Presence Pioneers Podcast exists to help you experience and host God’s presence through worship and prayer - because God’s presence changes everything.

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