CHRISTIAN
Loving and ever-present God, we believe that your grace is sufficient for all things. Comfort us anew by your presence. Allow that in our weakness we may be made strong, in our grief, consoled, and in our ignorance, wise. Protect and guide us that we may know the way to take and that at each crossroad of life we may see the right path to choose. Safeguard us by your power, uphold us your kindness, and warm us by your love. By your divine grace help us to do what is right, to act courageously, to love our neighbors, to forgive our enemies. By your grace, bless us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
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Holy God, sometimes things are really difficult for us especially when we have to face our humanness in a way that is not necessarily comfortable for us. Thank you for being present with us and helping us to look at our living and our dying. Remind us when we are fearful of death that You will be there with us each step of the way. Help our family members and those we love as they try to deal with what is happening as well. Let Your love and presence be felt as we express our fears, our concerns, and our mortality. Help us to always to remember that through our faith in You, we can live and we can die. We pray these prayers with the assurance of the love and compassion that your Son, Jesus Christ, has shown to us throughout our lives. We know that Jesus will be there to welcome our souls into God’s presence. Amen.
From A Clergy Guide to End-of-Life Issues / Martha R. Jacobs
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Prayers for the Sick
O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in
time of need: We humbly beseech thee to behold, visit, and
relieve thy sick servant N. for whom our prayers are desired.
Look upon him with the eyes of thy mercy; comfort him with
a sense of thy goodness; preserve him from the temptations
of the enemy; and give him patience under his affliction. In
thy good time, restore him to health, and enable him to lead
the residue of his life in thy fear, and to thy glory; and grant
that finally he may dwell with thee in life everlasting; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Recovery from Sickness
O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers:
Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servant N.
the help of your power, that his sickness may be turned into
health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
or
O God of heavenly powers, by the might of your command
you drive away from our bodies all sickness and all infirmity:
Be present in your goodness with your servant N., that his
weakness may be banished and his strength restored; and that,
his health being renewed, he may bless your holy Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For a Sick Child
Heavenly Father, watch with us over your child (name)., and grant
that s/he may be restored to that perfect health which it is
yours alone to give; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
or
Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd of the sheep, you gather
the lambs in your arms and carry them in your bosom: We
commend to your loving care this child N. Relieve his pain,
guard him from all danger, restore to him your gifts of
gladness and strength, and raise him up to a life of service to
you. Hear us, we pray, for you dear Name’s sake. Amen.
Before an Operation
Almighty God our heavenly Father, graciously comfort your
servant N. in his suffering, and bless the means made use of
for his cure. Fill his heart with confidence that, though at times
he may be afraid, he yet may put his trust in you; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Or
Strengthen your servant N., O God, to do what s/he has to do
and bear what he has to bear; that, accepting your healing
gifts through the skill of surgeons and nurses, he may be
restored to usefulness in your world with a thankful heart; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Strength and Confidence
Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and
relieve your sick servant N., and give your power of healing to
those who minister to her/his needs, that he may be strengthened in
his weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Other Daily Devotions for the Christian Community
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JEWISH
Venerable and hallowed are the memories of those who have died. We recall them with warmth and affection, grateful to G-d for the gift of their lives, for their faithful companionship, and for the cherished reminiscences which endure. May G-d comfort all who mourn. May G-d grant them strength to see beyond their sorrow, and sustain them in their grief. In solemn testimony to that unbroken faith which links our generations one to another, those observingYahrzeit and those who mourn now take a silent minute to contemplate their faith in G-d, to magnify and sanctify G-d’s holy name. Amen
(Adapted from the mourner’s Kaddish)
There are often times, O God, when I feel alone, and yet I know in my heart that I am never alone. You are always there waiting for me to speak to You of my desires, hopes and dreams.
Yet how seldom do I reach out to You to voice my gratitude for all that is beautiful in my life… all the gifts of my life. Love, family, friendship, have come from You.
But the greatest gift of all is Your presence, which time and again has given me strength, faith and courage.
Now, in the midst of doubt and confusion, I need to know that You are beside me in the depth of my being. With You there, I know I am not alone – ever.
My Friend, my strength, my God.
From Gates of Healing ©1988 by Central Conference of American Rabbis.
The Mi sheberakh Prayer
Mi sheberakh avoteinu mekor habrakha l’imoteinu
May the Source of strength
Who blessed the ones before us
Help us find the courage
To make our lives a blessing,
And let us say: Amen.
Mi sheberakh imoteinu mekor habrakha l’avoteinu
Bless those in need of healing with refuah shleima:
The renewal of body,
The renewal of spirit,
And let us say: Amen
Hear this beautiful prayer sung by composer Debbie Friedman.
More Jewish Prayers for the Sick
- Reformed Jewish
- Psalms and Jewish Prayers for Healing (Chabad.org)
- Aish.com
Muslim
Exceed not in your religion the bounds of what is proper, trespassing beyond the truth, nor follow the vain desires of people who went wrong in times gone by—who misled many and strayed themselves from the even way. (The Holy Qur’an, Surah 5:77)
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful. Praise be to Allah, the cherisher and sustainer of the worlds, most gracious, most merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment, you do we worship, and your aid do we seek. Show us the straight way: the way of those on whom you have bestowed your grace. We humbly ask that you shower blessings and restore peace to all those suffering loss, and grant all people wisdom and compassion. Amen
Buddhist Blessing and Healing Chant
Just as the soft rains fill the streams, pour into the rivers and join together in the oceans, so may the power of every moment of your goodness flow forth to awaken and heal all beings, Those here now, those gone before, those yet to come.
By the power of every moment of your goodness…
May your heart’s wishes be soon fulfilled, as completely shining as the bright full moon, as magically as by a wish-fulfilling gem.
May all dangers be averted and all disease be gone.
May no obstacle come across your way.
May you enjoy fulfillment and long life.
For all in whose heart dwells respect, who follow the wisdom and compassion of the Way, May your life prosper in the four blessings, of old age, beauty, happiness and strength.
(Prayers are from Healthcare Chaplaincy)
Resources for People of All Faiths – BeliefNet (Inspiration, Spirituality, Faith)