Prayers for Different Needs

A PRAYER FOR THE CANCER PATIENT

Dear Father,

I now have developed a disease which I have often feared. I am afraid. I am lonely. Questions seem to crowd my mind: Will I be cured? Will there be pain? How long will I live? How will my family handle this? I ask with all my heart that I be healed. But, if my healing is not in Your great plan, I trust You to be with me through it all. I trust You to give me peace, to let me live with hope, to relieve any pain, and to let me know Your presence. I trust You to bring my loved ones close to me during this illness, that we might support each other, and that Your great hands might support us all. I pray that from now on, whether sick or well, I will live each day as if it were eternal, and trust my eternity to You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A PRAYER FOR THE PERSON WITH EMOTIONAL PAIN

O Lord,

At this time of emotional pain in my life, help me to remember that You became man to grant us a perspective on the suffering of this world. You, too, were moved by intense feelings, and were at times angry, near despair and filled with doubt. You, above all, suffered at the hands of others and were misunderstood by many. Yet, You listened, always with rapt attention, to others in pain, offering them comfort and acceptance.

Teach me now to find new faith in You, in myself, in my doctors and helpers, and in my fellow man. I ask Your grace and courage that I might embrace my life and experiences as my own, good and bad, and begin my life anew today. Allow me that strength to communicate about my inner experience so that others, working through Your hand, may understand and accept me, and I may find Your peace within myself.

Amen.

A PRAYER FOR THE AIDS PATIENT

O Creator of the universe, the earth, and its inhabitants, Help me to remember you created me. O Lord, whose knowledge encompasses all, help me to remember You know me. O God, who loved the world enough to give Your Son, help me to remember You love me.

Father, I have HIV/AIDS. I am afraid. I am angry. I am depressed. Heal me. Heal my body. Heal my mind. Heal my soul. Lord, lend me Your strength for the living of my life. Help me to be an example of Your love and Your goodness.

Amen.

A PRAYER FOR FEAR

Heavenly Father,

As we kneel before Your throne of grace, we ask a special blessing and benediction upon us, Your people. We particularly pray that You will shield and defend us from the ravages of fear and anxiety. Place Your protective mantle around us and our loved ones that we will be fearful of nothing. Help us, Father, to change these times of fear and apprehension into trust and assurance. Keep us steadfast and resolute of purpose in serving You and in doing Your will. Forgive our weakness and shortcomings. Lord, hear our prayer, for we give You praise, honor, glory and thanks.

Amen.

PRAYER FOR A PATIENT FACING THE BIRTH OF A CHILD

Heavenly Father,

I thank You that the God powerful enough to create heaven and earth cared enough to create this new life within me. Thank You for this special gift of love. Please keep my baby and me healthy and strong as the time for delivery draws near. Give strength to my body so that I can bring up my child in this busy world. Give strength to my soul so that I may teach my child to know what is right or wrong. Give strength to my spirit so that I may lead my child to know Your love for himself or herself. I pray all of these things in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

I am the Lord, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who by myself spread out the earth. For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

A PRAYER FOR PATIENTS FACING IMMINENT DEATH

Father God,

Thank You for creating me in Your image.

Thank You for convicting me of sin and granting me eternal life by faith through grace in Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Thank You for sustaining me through Your Spirit. As I confront the moment of my imminent death, comfort me in my suffering, give me peace from my fears, surround me with Your loving presence in my loneliness.

I place my trust in You alone and pray that You will carry Your servant home through Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

A PRAYER FOR LONELINESS

Lord,

I turn to You as my source of strength when I feel so alone. I think of Christ and know that the loneliness He felt in Gethsemane and on the cross must have been far greater than I feel now. Still, I find my feelings difficult to bear.

Thank You for being so accessible and understanding. Help me to overcome my isolation and to reach out to others once again.

In Christ’s name, Amen.

A PRAYER FOR STRENGTH

O Lord,

In this time of need, strengthen me. You are my strength and my shield; You are my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. I know, Father, that Your eyes go to and fro throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts long for You. The body grows weary, but my hope is in You to renew my strength.

I do not fear, for You are with me.

I am not dismayed or overwhelmed, for You are my God. I know You will strengthen me and help me; that You will uphold me with Your righteous hand. Even as the shadows of illness cover me, I feel the comfort of Your strength, Or Lord.

Amen.

A PRAYER FOR THE HEART

Our most gracious and merciful loving Lord and Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your compassion and loving kindness. You know and supply all our needs.

Lord, You seek those who are lost, bind those who are broken, strengthen those who are sick. I know You are with me, O Lord. Your rod and Your staff will comfort me from affliction and protect me as I walk through this time of illness.

Dear Lord, I pray for Your continued divine care in my time of special need.

Please heal my heart, Or Lord. Give knowledge and strength to those who administer to me. Lead their hands and fill their hearts with Your inspiration and love. Lord, I pray for those other than myself who have similar problems. May Your healing hand also touch their lives and their hearts and fill them with the love which comes only from above.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

A PRAYER TO SLEEP

Dear God,

As I lie here seeking another good night of restful sleep, give me the peace of mind and the ability to relax.

Fulfill my needs for mental and physical restoration so I may wake up ready for another beautiful day which I hope You will allow me to live to enjoy with praise and thanks to You and our Lord Jesus.

Amen.

A PRAYER UPON RECEIVING BAD NEWS

Father,

I’ve just heard those dreaded words that I’ve prayed not to hear. My spirit is shattered.

May world is falling apart.

I want to fight, to rebel, to flee from the reality of this, yet I know that You are there.

No matter how angry, deserted, disappointed I feel, Your love will never let me go. You will provide Your sustaining courage regardless of the future. Please grant me and my loved ones courage for whatever lies ahead. Help me to remember that You do understand everything about me, and want me to come to You laying all my burdens at Your feet.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A PRAYER BEFORE GOING HOME

O Lord,

Thank you for restoring my strength and making it possible for me to return home. As I give thanks for those who have cared for me, help me to be mindful of others who have health care needs. Be with me now as I return to my daily duties so that I might guide others as You have guided me.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A PRAYER FOR ONE BY THE BEDSIDE

Father,

Please forgive me of my sins and particularly for taking Your promises and love for granted. You provide us relief from our tedious days through Your Holy Word, and permanently fill the void in our lives through the love of Jesus Christ. Help me serve as Your instrument during my life and concentrate on matters that have eternal significance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A PRAYER FOR PATIENCE

Dear Heavenly Father,

Praise be given to Your Holy name for Your forbearance and mercy. You have dealt gently with Your children in love. You have been patient with me in my humanness and stubbornness.

Lord, through the work of Your Spirit, prompt me to be more jubilant in hope, more patient in times of trouble, and more consistent in my prayer life. Teach me, Lord, to wait with faith and expectancy, and may my trials be seen as times for growth in grace. Through Christ our Lord, I pray. Amen.

A PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS

O God,

I need to feel that I have forgiveness from You. So often my good intentions do not become what I want them to be, and so often the good I want to do, I don’t do. It is hard to face up to the wrong that is in my life. When I feel Your forgiveness, I feel clean and good inside and so free to be what You want me to be. Help me feel this goodness, and strengthen me to forgive those who have wronged me.

I pray in the name of Christ who shows us the way to Your forgiving presence. Amen.

A PRAYER FOR COURAGE

Father,

I pray for courage as I begin this day, for I understand there is work to be done, burdens to be carried, feelings to be shared and joys to be celebrated.

Grant me the courage to be silent that I may hear Thy voice; to persevere, that I may share Thy victory; and to remember, lest I forget the way by which Thou has led me.

And when this day is done, O Lord, may I have the courage to see Thy guiding hand in the friendships that have been made, in the hurts that have been healed, and in the strength that has been given.

Amen.

A PRAYER FOR THE PATIENT FACING SURGERY

O God, the source of all health.

Fill my heart with faith.

Be near me in times of weakness and pain. Although I know You are in control, I am apprehensive about what faces me. You made me, loved me, and have provided my surgeon with needed skill to perform a miracle in my behalf. Sustain me by Your grace that my strength and courage may not fail; Heal me according to Your will.

Amen.

Prayer Before Surgery

Loving Father, I entrust myself to your care this day; guide with wisdom and skill the minds and hands of the medical people who minister in your Name, and grant that every cause of illness be removed, I may be restored to soundness of health and learn to live in more perfect harmony with you and with those around me. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Into your hands, I commend my body and my soul. Amen.

Another Prayer Before Surgery

Healing God, when I think of surgery, I am anxious, but I know that through the skill you have given to my doctors and nurses, you can bring relief to my body. Be with the doctors and nurses in your power and wisdom, and be with me in your love and peace. Amen.

Prayer Following Surgery

God you who are the greatest healer, I thank you for your watchful care over me in my hours of crisis. Help me to regain my health and be with me during my recovery. Strengthen me and keep me cheerful. Help me to bear with patience and fortitude whatever pain I may have. May I always be aware of your comforting presence and may I always be thankful for your divine gift of life. Amen.

Prayer After Surgery

Blessed Savior, I thank you that this operation is safely past, and now I rest in your abiding presence, relaxing every tension, releasing every care and anxiety, receiving more and more of your healing life into every part of my being. In moments of pain I turn to you for strength, in times of loneliness I feel your loving nearness. Grant that your life and love and joy may flow through me for the healing of others in your name. Amen.

A PRAYER DURING RECUPERATION AT HOME

Father,

We thank You for the healings that have come, For the restorations that have been received; For the many prayers that have been heard. In this time of rest and recuperation, help us to keep our eyes on You and not on symptoms.

We pray that You will grant, in Your own time and in Your own way, a complete return to that health and strength which is Your will. May we never forget Your mercy nor cease to give thanks as health returns.

In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

Prayer in a sleepless night

O God, I cannot sleep. I lie awake, thinking about things and worrying. I worry about my health, my family, the future - a countless number of things. I am weary but I find no rest. I remember your words; 'Can any of you live a bit longer by worrying about it? (Mt 6:27) Help me to take your words to heart. Let me place each concern in your hands. Grant me peace, O God, and let me sleep.