When someone we love is sick, prayer is one of the most loving things we can offer. Here are prayers for a sick loved one, for yourself in illness, and a traditional prayer of the Church for the sick.
Prayer for a Sick Loved One
Lord Jesus, You healed the sick who came to You, and You never turned anyone away. I bring before You (name), who is sick.
Touch them with Your healing hand. Give them strength in their weakness, peace in their worry, and comfort in their pain.
Guide the hands of those who care for them, the doctors, nurses, and family at their side. If it is Your will, restore them to health; and in all things, keep them close to Your Heart.
Mary, Health of the Sick, pray for them. Amen.
Prayer When You Are Sick
Lord, I am weak and I am hurting. I place my body, my fears, and my hopes in Your hands.
If it is Your will, heal me. If I must carry this cross a while longer, give me patience and courage, and let me unite my suffering with Yours on the Cross, for my own good and for the good of others.
Stay with me, Lord, through every hour. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
Traditional Prayer of the Church for the Sick
This prayer comes from the traditional Roman Missal, the Mass prayer for the sick.
Almighty and eternal God, the everlasting salvation of those who believe, hear us on behalf of Your servant (name), who is sick, for whom we humbly beg the help of Your mercy, that, being restored to health, they may give thanks to You in Your Church. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
In Latin
Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, salus aeterna credentium, exaudi nos pro famulis tuis infirmis, pro quibus misericordiae tuae imploramus auxilium; ut, reddita sibi sanitate, gratiarum tibi in Ecclesia tua referant actiones. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick
Prayer is powerful, and the Church also offers a sacrament especially for the sick. Scripture says:
"Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." (James 5:14, Douay-Rheims)
The Anointing of the Sick is not only for the dying. Anyone who is seriously ill, about to undergo major surgery, or weakened by old age may receive it. Contact your parish priest to ask for it.
Prayer and good medical care go together. We pray for healing, and we also seek the help of doctors, whom God works through.
Saints to Ask for Help
- Our Lady, Health of the Sick (Salus Infirmorum). The Church observes the World Day of the Sick on February 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
- St. Raphael the Archangel, whose name means "God heals"
- St. Jude, for serious and difficult illnesses. See the Prayer to St. Jude.
Many families also pray the Holy Rosary or the Memorare for a sick loved one.