Prayers

Prayer for Strength  
O God, our refuge and strength, at this very moment, ________ needs your strength and presence in his/her life. S/he is anxious and fearful and needs your help. We claim your promise that s/he will not be given any more to bear than s/he can handle, that your strength will be sufficient, and that s/he will be granted your peace which surpasses all understanding.
Amen.

Isaiah 40: 28-31
Do you not know or have you not heard?
The Lord is the Eternal God
Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint nor grow weary,
And his knowledge is beyond scrutiny
He gives strength to the weary,
For the weak he makes vigor abound.
Though young ones faint and grow weary,
And youths stagger and fall,
They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength,
They will soar as with eagles’ wings;
They will run and not grow weary,
Walk and not grow faint.

Prayer During a Serious Illness
Oh Lord Jesus Christ, who during your brief life on earth, went about
doing good for all, be merciful to ________ in this time of special need.
Divine Physician, whose tender heart was moved by the sight of pain and affliction, we beg of you, if it be Your holy will, to restore ________ to good health.
Stretch forth your hand to all who suffer, and grant to __________ that
peace which You alone can give.
Amen.

God’s Everlasting Love
________ please know that you are God’s beloved daughter/son. You are precious in God’s eyes. Although you may feel overwhelmed, perhaps even frightened, please remember that you are a very special person and deeply loved by God and all your family members and the people who are here with you.
You are God’s beloved, ________ and your presence is a joy to all of us.
When life is burdensome, always remember that you are loved with God’s everlasting love.
Amen.

Prayer for Someone Unconscious
God our Father, we are gathered here to pray for ________, whom we love.
We pray that s/he may find comfort in our familiar voices, in our touch, in our presence.
We pray that you may free her/him from pain and that you may grant
her/him a sense of inner peace and serenity. Remind us, O Lord, of the
preciousness of life, of every breath we take, every word we speak, every smile we share, and help us to be thankful for what we have.
Give us strength and endurance as we wait, as You are the only one who knows our tomorrow. As we wait, nurture us with our memories of yesterday, the thousands of moments we spent together and cherish the love we have together.
Help us live with our present helplessness in the realization that You are with us. Father, we implore you to bless this dear loved one, and sustain those who love her/him.
Amen.

Prayer Before Going Home
O Lord________will be leaving the hospital soon.
S/he is grateful for this hospital and all who have cared for her/him. As
s/he leaves the hospital, grant her/him the wisdom and grace to follow
her/his physician’s instructions during the coming days so that good
health may be restored to her/him.
Amen.

For Family/Friends at the Bedside
Lord, during your ministry on earth, you were aware of the needs of the sick and suffering. You spent time with them, offering compassion and strength. Look upon the husband/wife/relative/friend of this patient as she/he/they keep vigil with her/his/their loved one.
You know her/his/their anxiety and fear. You also know her/his/their
love and compassion. As she/he/they continue to wait in hope at this
bedside, give her/him/them your gift of peace and the strength needed at this time. Listen to our prayers, and if it be your will, restore __________ to health.
Amen.

For A Patient Close to Death
Go forth, Christian soul, from this world in the name of God the almighty
Father, who created you, in the name of Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who suffered for you, in the name of the Holy Spirit, who was poured out upon you.  
Go forth, faithful Christian.
May you live in peace this day.
May your home be with God in heaven, with Mary, the virgin Mother of God, with Joseph, and all the angels and saints.
Amen.

For a Patient Who Has Died
Faithful God,
to whom mercy and compassion belong,
hear our prayer on behalf of _____________
whom you have called out of this world.
Welcome her/him into heaven,
where there will be no more suffering, no more pain, no more sickness;
but only the fullness of peace and joy.
Surround _______________’s family with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their grief. Grant them comfort in their sorrow,
courage in their loss, and hope in your promise of eternal life. We believe that one day they shall be reunited with ______________.
Until then, may they cherish their memories of their loved one and turn to you for strength and consolation in the days to come.
Amen.

Spiritual Communion
(Traditional)
Jesus, ___________ believes that you are present in the most Holy
Sacrament. S/he loves you above all things, and s/he desires to receive you into her/his soul.
Since _____________ cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into her/his heart.
We embrace you as if you were already there, and unite ourselves wholly to you. Never permit us to be separated from you.
Amen.
—St. Alphonsus Liguori  

Prayer Before an Operation
O loving Father, we commit ourselves with perfect trust into Your
gentlehands. Watch over ________ and protect her/him during the
procedure.
Bless and guide the hearts, the hands, and the minds of his/her surgeon
and the staff involved with ________’s care. Grant Your peace, Your calm, and Your tender consolation to ___________’s relatives and friends as they await his/her recovery.
Grant ________ strength sufficient for this day and the days to come.
Amen.

 

Surgery

Prayer Before Undergoing a Procedure
Divine Companion, placing ________ in Your compassionate care, I beg
You to be with her/him during these next hours. Please deepen her/his
trust in You, so that s/he will not be fearful or worried as s/he undergoes this procedure.
Calm her/his heart and mind, relax her/his body, and grant him/her the
assurance expressed in Psalm 4: “As soon as I lie down, I peacefully go to sleep; you alone, my strength, keep me perfectly safe.” (v. 8)  
Amen.

Before Surgery
Lord Jesus, guide the hands of ___________ s surgeon and all who will assist in the surgery. Empower them to use their skills to restore
__________ to health and wholeness.
We ask you to remove any fear or anxiety from _______ and fill her/him with peace. May her/his recovery be swift, her/his strength renewed and her/his health restored.
We also ask that you bless ________’s family and friends. Be with them as they wait for the surgery to be finished and give them peace. We place
_________ into your hands, Lord, for you are the Divine Physician.
Amen.

Prayer After Surgery I
God our Father, source of all healing, we thank You for bringing
________safely through her/his surgery.
We thank You for the surgeons, nurses and all those who took care of
________ during the operation and for the skills You have given to them.
During this time of recovery, please continue to give this patient strength and healing.
Ease any of her/his discomfort;
calm her/his anxieties and bless her/him with all the graces that s/he
needs.
We ask that You restore ________ to good health.
Amen.

Prayer After Surgery II
Blessed Savior, we thank You that this surgery is safely past. As
________now rests in Your abiding presence, continue to bless her/him
with strength.
Help ________ to let go of any fear or anxiety, trusting that You are
watching over her/him. In moments of pain or discomfort, may ________ turn to You for courage. In moments of loneliness, may s/he feel Your nearness.
And in moments of feeling well, may s/he express gratitude for the healing that You have given to her/him.
Amen.

Maternity  
 

Blessing for a New Baby
Welcome precious little child
so fresh from God above.
He looked at you and smiled
as you’re held in arms of love.
May angels guide your tiny feet
and bring you smiles to wear;
and may our Loving God
always keep you in His care!
God Bless ________

Blessing for a Baby
[Insert Name of Baby]
May the light of God surround you
May the love of God enfold you
May the power of God protect you
May the presence of God watch over you
Wherever you are, God is,
since you were made in His image and likeness.
God Bless this new life!
Amen.

Blessing For a Mother Who Just Had a Baby
Dear Lord, source of all Life, bless the mother of this baby. May she
experience the love and joy that comes from having a new child.
Give her the support and grace that she needs at this time as she nurtures
her little one. May she love this new life entrusted to her care with
kindness, gentleness and motherly affection.
Bestow Your divine wisdom upon her so that
she can be a wise teacher as she raises her child.
May she receive abundant blessings and graces from You.
Amen.

Blessing For Parents Who Just Had a Baby
Dear Lord, bless the mother and father of this baby. May they experience the love and joy that comes from having a new child.
Give them the support that they need at this time as they nurture their little one. May they love this new life entrusted to their care with kindness, gentleness and affection.
Bestow Your divine wisdom upon these parents so that they can be wise teachers as they raise their child. May they receive abundant blessings and graces from you– the source of all life.  
Amen.  

 

Psalms

Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose.
Beside restful waters he leads me;
He refreshes my soul.
He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil;
for you are at my side,
With your rod and your staff that give me courage.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
for years to come.
Psalms

Psalm 27
The Lord is my light and my salvation,
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?
Though a multitude of demons rise up within me,
my heart shall not fear.
Though doubts and guilt do battle, yet shall I remain confident.
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that I shall ever seek: that I might dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of my
Beloved, and to know the Lord’s plan.
For I shall hide in the Lord’s heart
In the day of trouble,
As in a tent in the desert,
Away from the noise of my fears.
And I shall rise above struggles, my pain,
shouting blessings of gratitude in the Lord’s heart, and singing melodies of praise to my Beloved.  
Hear, O my Lord, when I cry aloud,
be gracious and answer me!
You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart responds,
“Your face, my Beloved, do I seek;
hide not your face from me.”
Do not turn from me,
You who have been my refuge.
Enfold me in your strong arms,
O Blessed One.
Though my father and mother may not understand me, You, my Beloved, know me and love me.
Teach me to love, as You are Love; lead me through each fear; hold my
hand as I walk through valleys of doubt each day, that I may know Your peace.
I believe that I shall know the realm of Heaven,
of Love, here on earth!
Wait for the Beloved,
be strong with courage of the heart;
Yes! Wait for the Beloved of your heart!
—Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill

Psalm 121 The Lord My Guardian
I raise my eyes toward the mountains.
From where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
God will not allow your foot to slip,
your guardian does not sleep.
Truly, the guardian of Israel
never slumbers nor sleeps.
The Lord is your guardian;
He is by your side to protect you.
By day the sun cannot harm you,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will guard you from all evil,
He will keep you safe.
The Lord will guard your coming and going
both now and forever.

 

Blessings

For Family and Friends
May God bless you with faith to quiet the fears of your hearts.
May God bless you with courage to face the struggle of this time.
May God bless you with strength as you keep vigil with your loved one.
Amen.

Blessing of Aaron
The Lord bless you, and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance to you,
and give you peace.

Blessing I
May the Lord be with you to protect you.
May the Lord guide you and give you strength.
May the Lord watch over you,
keep you in His care
and bless you with His peace.
Amen.

Blessing II
May God the Father bless you.
May God the Son comfort you.
May God the Holy Spirit heal you.
Amen.

 

Various Faiths
 

Jewish Prayer
May the One who blessed our ancestors–
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah,
bless and heal the one who is ill.
May the Holy One, the fount of blessings,
shower abundant mercies upon you,
fulfilling your dreams of healing,
strengthening you with the power of life.
Merciful One:
Restore her/him,
heal her/him,
strengthen her/him,
enliven her/him,
send her/him a complete healing
from the heavenly realm,
A healing of soul, together with all who are ill,
soon, speedily, without delay; and let us say: Amen!

Muslim Prayer
A Prayer for Healing
O ye who believe! Seek help
With patient perseverance
And Prayer for God is with those
Who patiently persevere.
And say not of those
Who are slain in the way
Nay, they are living,
Though ye perceive (it) not.
Be sure we shall test you
With something of fear
And hunger, some loss
In goods or lives or the fruits
(Of your toil), but give
Glad tiding to those
Who patiently persevere,
Who say, when afflicted
With calamity: “To God
We belong, and to Him
Is our return;”
They are those on whom
(Descend) blessings from God,
And mercy,
And they are the ones
That receive guidance.
The Holy Koran,
Chapter II; 153:157

Buddhist Tradition
May I become at all times, both now and forever
A protector for those without protection
A guide for those who have lost their way
A ship for those with oceans to cross
A bridge for those with rivers to cross
A sanctuary for those in danger
A lamp for those without light
A place of refuge for those who lack shelter
And a servant to all in need.

Hindu Prayer
May the Supreme Lord of the universe nourish the body so that I may have only auspicious words, that I may see only good things, that I may see the divinity in all things and everywhere experience the many forms of the One Supreme God; that all people on earth may be blessed.

Native American Prayer
O Divine Gift-Giver, and Great Spirit
I stand beneath the endless waterfall
of your abundant gifts to me.
I thank you especially for the blessing of life,
the most precious of all your gifts.
I thank you Generous One,
for the morning light,
for clothing to wear,
And for food and drink to nourish my body
I thank you for family and friends
and for the many joys of my life.
Grant that I may never greet a new day
Without the awareness of some gift
for which to give you thanks.
And may constant thanksgiving
be my song of perpetual praise to you.