Consoling Those in Grief

Recently I've discovered how much of a miserable failure I am when it comes to consoling others going through rough spots in their lives.

It's not that I'm not sensitive to what they're feeling.  I'm not oblivious or callous.  It's that I don't know what to say.

A family friend recently lost her daughter to a nasty fight with cancer.  When I saw her at work, on her first day back, I stupidly said, "How's it going?", as though I expected an upbeat response.  I have no experience with terminal cancer.  I know she hurts like she's never hurt before.  But I just don't know what to tell her.

Whether it's a death, a job loss or even just a really bad day for someone, I'm usually at a loss for helpful words.

I always tell the person I'll pray for them, and I mean it.  It's just that sometimes that feels inadequate.  I don't know why, considering it's one of the most powerful things we can do for someone.

As a Christian, how do you handle these types of situations?