Our church has recently experienced a rash of sickness, some of them serious, among members and families of members. I thought these prayers from various Books of Common Prayer will be useful in praying for them in our personal prayer times.
In Time of Great Sickness and Mortality
MOST MIGHTY AND MERCIFUL GOD, to Whom alone belong the issues of life and death; In this time of grievous sickness we flee unto Thee for relief. Deliver us, we beseech Thee, from our peril; give strength and skill to Thy ministers of healing; bless the means of cure; and grant, that, perceiving how frail is our earthly life, we may apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom which leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For a Sick Person
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 (Name], for whom our prayers are desired. Look upon him with the eyes of Thy mercy; comfort him with a sense 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 when this life is ended, through faith in Thy dear Son, he may dwell with Thee in life everlasting, for the sake of the same, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
For a Sick Child
ALMIGHTY GOD, and merciful Father, Thou Who alone can heal; Behold, we humbly beseech Thee, with the eyes of Thy mercy, the sick child [Name] for whom our prayers are desired. If it be Thy good pleasure, deliver him, O Lord, from his bodily pain, and prolong his days here on earth; that he may live to Thee, and be an instrument of Thy glory. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for the love of Thy Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
or this
HEAVENLY FATHER, watch with us over your child [Name], and grant that he may be restored to that perfect health which it is yours alone to give; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
or this
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 [Name] 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 your dear Name’s sake. 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 [Name] 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 this
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 [Name], 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.
Before an Operation
ALMIGHTY GOD our heavenly Father, graciously comfort your servant [Name] 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 this
O GOD, strengthen your servant [Name], to do what 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 [Name], and give your power of healing to those who minister to his needs, that he may be strengthened in his weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Sanctification of Illness
Sanctify, O LORD, the sickness of your servant [Name], that the sense of his weakness may add strength to his faith and seriousness to his repentance; and grant that he may live with you in everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Health of Body and Soul
MAY GOD THE FATHER bless you, God the Son heal you, God the Holy Spirit give you strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard your body, save your soul, and bring you safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
For Doctors and Nurses
Sanctify, O LORD, those whom you have called to the study and practice of the arts of healing, and to the prevention of disease and pain. Strengthen them by your life-giving Spirit, that by their ministries the health of the community may be promoted and your creation glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thanksgiving for a Beginning of Recovery
O LORD, your compassions never fail and your mercies are new every morning: We give you thanks for giving our brother (sister) [Name] both relief from pain and hope of health renewed. Continue in him, we pray, the good work you have begun; that he, daily increasing in bodily strength, and rejoicing in your goodness, may so order his life and conduct that he may always think and do those things that please you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
