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Japanese For strength, Catholics have prayed the Anima Christi since the fourteenth century. Its fifth line asks, “Passion of Christ, strengthen me.” For healing, Catholics pray the centurion’s words from Matthew 8, said before Communion: “Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.”
Prayer goes alongside medical care and never replaces it. If you are in despair or thinking of ending your life, call or text 988 in the US, or call Samaritans on 116 123 in the UK and Ireland. There are also more Christian and crisis lines.
Traditional Catholic prayers for strength and healing
Two Catholic prayer books printed in America supply these texts: the 1888 Manual of Prayers, prepared by order of the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore, and Father F. X. Lasance’s Catholic Girl’s Guide (1906).
Anima Christi (Soul of Christ)
The Manual of Prayers prints this prayer for the moment after Communion and calls it “a favorite prayer of St. Ignatius Loyola.” Ignatius did place it at the start of his Spiritual Exercises, but the prayer is older: the Catholic Encyclopedia dates it to the first half of the fourteenth century.
Soul of Christ, sanctify me!
Body of Christ, save me!
Blood of Christ, inebriate me!
Water from the side of Christ, wash me!
Passion of Christ, strengthen me!
O Good Jesus, hear me!
Within Thy Wounds hide me!
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee!
From the malicious enemy defend me!
In the hour of my death, call me,
And bid me come to Thee;
That with Thy Saints I may praise Thee
For ever and ever. Amen.A Manual of Prayers for the Use of the Catholic Laity (1888), p. 103
“Lord, I am not worthy”
At Mass, just before Communion, Catholics repeat the words of a Roman centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant from a distance: “Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed” (Matthew 8:8). The Church changes “my servant” to “my soul.” The 1888 Manual tells the people to say it with the priest three times, striking the breast:
Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.
A Manual of Prayers (1888), The Ordinary of the Mass, p. 102
A prayer in suffering
The Manual’s devotions for the sick include this prayer for strength in pain. It asks Christ to join the sick person’s suffering to his own.
O Lord Jesus Christ, accept my sufferings which I desire to unite with Thine. Sanctify this affliction, so that every pang I feel may purify my soul and bring it nearer to Thee, to be made more one with Thee; grant that I may welcome the sufferings which will make me more like to Thee.
O my Lord, stand Thou by me with Thy supporting grace; sanctify each pang, sustain my weakness. And then order for me what Thou pleasest. …
A Manual of Prayers (1888), Devotions for the Sick, “A Prayer in Suffering,” p. 466
The prayer ends by asking Christ to “grant me Thy heavenly strength, the fulness of Thy grace and peace.” The same page gives a one-line prayer for a moment of pain, built on Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane:
O Lord, by Thy Cross and Passion strengthen me; Lord, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not my will but Thine be done. Amen.
A Manual of Prayers (1888), Devotions for the Sick, Ejaculation, p. 467
For strength in a time of trouble
This short collect comes from the Manual’s occasional prayers, under the heading “In any Tribulation.”
O Almighty God, despise not Thy people who cry unto Thee in their affliction; but, for the glory of Thy name, turn away Thine anger, and help us in our tribulations.
A Manual of Prayers (1888), Occasional Prayers, p. 166
Prayer to St Raphael the Archangel
In the Book of Tobit, called Tobias in the Douay-Rheims Bible, “the holy angel of the Lord, Raphael was sent to heal them both,” a blind old man and a young woman named Sara who had prayed in her misery (Tobias 3:25), and he later says, “I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord” (Tobias 12:15). Lasance’s prayer to him calls him “physician of God.” Tobit is in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles but not in most Protestant ones. More prayers of this kind are collected in prayers to St Raphael for healing.
Glorious archangel St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, illustrious by thy gifts of wisdom and grace, guide of travelers by land and sea, consoler of the unfortunate, and refuge of sinners, I entreat thee to help me in all my needs and in all the trials of this life, as thou didst once assist the young Tobias in his journeying. And since thou art the “physician of God,” I humbly pray thee to heal my soul of its many infirmities and my body of the ills that afflict it, if this favor is for my greater good. I ask, especially, for angelic purity, that I may be made fit to be the living temple of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
F. X. Lasance, The Catholic Girl’s Guide, “Prayer to St. Raphael, Archangel,” p. 601
Short prayers for strength and healing
Each of these is written for a particular moment of illness or strain.
For strength to get through today
Lord Jesus, I do not have the strength for this whole day, only for the next hour. Give me that, and then the next. You told St Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Let it be true for me today. Amen.
For healing of the body
Lord, you touched the sick and they were healed. Touch me now. Heal what the doctors can see and what they cannot, and give my body the rest it needs to mend. If healing is slow, keep me patient. Amen.
When the pain is bad
Jesus, you know what pain is. Ease mine, let the medicine work, and help me through the hours when nothing helps. I join this pain to your Passion; use it for the people I love. Amen.
Before treatment or surgery
Lord, I am afraid of what the doctors will do today. Guide their hands and their judgment, keep me safe under the anesthetic, and let me wake to your peace. Amen.
For healing of the heart and mind
Lord, the wound I carry is not in my body. Grief, anxiety and old memories weigh on me more than any illness. “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3). Heal me in the places no one else can see, and send me the people and the help I need. Amen.
For courage in a hard time
God, what is in front of me frightens me, and I cannot go around it. Give me the courage to go through it, one step at a time, and let me feel that you are with me on the way. “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart” (Psalm 27:14). Amen.
For a sick loved one
Lord, [name] is ill, and I cannot make [him or her] well. Give [him or her] strength for each day and healing, if it is your will. Give the doctors wisdom, and show me how to help without taking over. Amen.
Before confession, for healing of the soul
Merciful Father, the sickness I most need healed is sin. Show me my faults plainly, give me the courage to confess them, and let me hear your forgiveness in the priest’s words. Make me clean and strong again. Amen.
When healing is slow
Lord, I have prayed for a long time and I am still unwell. Keep me from bitterness and from giving up. Like the woman who said, “If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole” (Matthew 9:21), let me keep reaching for you. Amen.
The Anointing of the Sick
The Church’s own sacrament for strength and healing is the Anointing of the Sick, based on James 5:14–15: “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that “the first grace of this sacrament is one of strengthening, peace and courage to overcome the difficulties that go with the condition of serious illness or the frailty of old age,” and that it is meant to bring healing of the soul, “but also of the body if such is God’s will” (paragraph 1520). It also gives the sick person “the strength and the gift of uniting himself more closely to Christ’s Passion” (paragraph 1521).
The Catechism says the sacrament “is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death” (paragraph 1514), and that “it is fitting to receive the Anointing of the Sick just prior to a serious operation” (paragraph 1515). Only a priest can give it. A Catholic can ask the parish priest or the hospital chaplain for it, and for confession and Communion at the same visit. More prayers for these occasions are gathered in Catholic prayers for the sick.
Saints Catholics ask to pray for the sick
Catholics ask the saints and angels to pray for them, as they ask one another. Most Protestants pray to God alone. Some of these patronages are popular devotion, not official teaching.
- St Raphael the Archangel, called “physician of God” in Lasance’s prayer, for his healing work in the Book of Tobit.
- Our Lady of Lourdes. Pope John Paul II made her feast, 11 February, the World Day of the Sick, a day of prayer for the sick first kept in 1993.
- St Peregrine Laziosi is widely invoked by people with cancer; that patronage is popular devotion. The Catholic Encyclopedia records that he joined the Servite order in 1283, that his people called him “a second Job” for his patience, and that he died in 1345 and was canonized in 1726. It gives his feast as 30 April.
Prayer for Healing from Sickness
When our bodies are weak with illness, it can feel like a heavy burden. This prayer is a heartfelt plea to God, the Divine Physician, asking for His healing touch to restore our physical and spiritual well-being.
Heavenly Father, I come before You today feeling weak and unwell. My body aches, and my spirit is tired from this sickness. I feel the weight of this illness, and I humbly ask for Your divine intervention.
You are the great Healer, the one who made me in Your image. I ask that You lay Your healing hands upon me. Please mend what is broken, soothe what is in pain, and drive out this sickness from my body.
As You heal my body, Lord, please also heal my spirit. Fill me with hope and patience. Help me not to fall into despair but to trust in Your loving care. Let this time of weakness draw me closer to You, reminding me that I depend on You for everything.
Give my doctors and caregivers wisdom as they work to help me. I place all my trust in You, knowing that Your power is greater than any illness. Help me to find rest and peace in Your presence. I offer this prayer with a hopeful heart, believing in Your mercy and love. Restore my strength and make me whole again, so I may serve You with renewed energy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Even in sickness, we can find comfort by placing our trust in God. Remember that He is always with us, a source of true healing for body and soul. Jeremiah 17:14 says, “Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.”
Prayer for Strength in Times of Sadness
Sadness and grief can feel like a dark cloud that won’t lift. This prayer is a call to the Lord, our Comforter, asking for the strength to endure sorrow and for His light to shine through our darkness.
O Lord, my heart is heavy with sadness. The weight of this sorrow feels overwhelming, and joy seems so far away. I feel emotionally drained and fragile. I come to You now because You are my refuge and my strength.
Please wrap Your loving arms around me. Be my comfort in this time of pain. When my thoughts are clouded by grief, help me to remember Your goodness and faithfulness. Remind me that You are with me in every tear I cry and every lonely moment.
Grant me the strength to get through this day, and then the next. Do not let my sadness turn into bitterness or despair. Instead, help me to place my pain at the foot of the Cross, trusting that You can turn my mourning into something new.
I know that You understand my suffering completely. Allow me to feel a sense of Your peace that goes beyond all understanding. Lift my spirit, Lord, and help me to find moments of light in the midst of this darkness. Sustain me until the day when my joy is restored. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
God does not abandon us in our sorrow. He is closest to us when our hearts are breaking, offering a strength that we cannot find on our own. As Psalm 34:18 reminds us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Prayer for Peace from Anxiety and Worry
Anxiety can steal our peace and fill our minds with fear and “what ifs.” This prayer is an act of surrendering our worries to God, asking Him to replace our anxious thoughts with His profound and calming peace.
Lord Jesus, my mind is filled with anxiety and my heart is restless with worry. These anxious thoughts spin in my head, stealing my peace and draining my strength. I feel overwhelmed by the burdens I am carrying and the fears of what might happen.
I come to You now, the Prince of Peace, and I ask for Your help. Please quiet the storm inside of me. Take these worries from my shoulders, because I know they are too heavy for me to carry alone. Help me to release my grip on the things I cannot control and to trust them completely to You.
Fill my mind with Your truth and my heart with Your presence. When a fearful thought enters my mind, help me to turn to You in prayer instead of letting the anxiety grow. Replace my frantic energy with a calm spirit and a steady heart.
Help me to breathe deeply of Your grace and to rest securely in the knowledge that You are in control of all things. I surrender my fears, my future, and my troubled heart to You. Let Your perfect peace guard my heart and my mind. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Surrendering our anxieties to God is an act of trust. His peace is a divine gift that can calm our most troubled hearts when we invite Him in. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Prayer for Courage to Face My Fears
Fear can paralyze us and prevent us from moving forward into the life God has planned. This prayer is for divine courage, asking God to be our strength and our shield when we are faced with intimidating challenges.
Almighty God, there is a challenge before me that fills my heart with fear. I feel intimidated and unsure of myself. The thought of facing this makes me feel small and weak. In my own strength, I do not believe I can do this.
But I know that I am not alone, for You are with me. You are my rock and my fortress, a shield against all that I fear. I ask You now to fill me with a holy courage that comes only from You. Quiet the voice of doubt and amplify the truth of Your power.
Help me to stand firm in my faith, even when my legs feel like they are shaking. Remind me that with You by my side, I can face any giant and climb any mountain. Let me not focus on the size of my problem, but on the greatness of my God.
Go before me into this situation, Lord. Let me feel Your presence so strongly that my fear melts away, replaced by a confident trust in You. I want to honor You with my bravery and step forward in faith, not retreat in fear. Grant me courage. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
True courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to trust God in the middle of it. When we lean on His everlasting arms, we find the strength to do what we thought was impossible. Deuteronomy 31:6 promises, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Prayer for Patience and Endurance
Sometimes, our trials are not quick battles but long journeys that test our patience. This prayer is for the spiritual endurance to keep going with grace and hope, trusting in God’s perfect timing even when we feel weary.
Lord of all time, I confess that I am growing weary. This trial has lasted longer than I expected, and my patience is running thin. I feel tired of waiting, tired of struggling, and my heart is tempted to give up.
I ask You for the supernatural gift of endurance. Renew my spirit and grant me the strength to persevere with a hopeful heart. Please teach me the virtue of patience, not just the ability to wait, but how to keep a good attitude while waiting.
Help me to see this season of waiting not as a punishment, but as a time of preparation. Shape my character, deepen my faith, and teach me to rely more fully on You. Protect me from becoming frustrated or resentful. Instead, fill me with a quiet and trusting spirit.
Let me find my rest in You when I am exhausted. Remind me that Your timing is always perfect, even when I cannot understand it. Help me to keep putting one foot in front of the other, trusting that You are walking right beside me, leading me toward Your good purpose. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Enduring through difficult seasons builds a strength and character that cannot be formed any other way. It is a powerful act of faith to remain joyful and hopeful while we wait. Romans 12:12 guides us to be “joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Prayer for Healing a Broken Heart
A broken heart from loss, betrayal, or rejection is a deep and personal pain. This prayer is a gentle offering of our shattered pieces to Jesus, asking Him, the mender of hearts, to bring comfort and wholeness.
Lord Jesus, my heart is broken. The pain of this loss is sharp, and I feel shattered inside. It hurts to breathe, to think, and to remember. I bring all the broken pieces of my heart to You, because I cannot fix this on my own.
You are known as the healer of the brokenhearted. I ask You now to tenderly touch my wounds. Pour Your calming peace into the empty and aching spaces within me. Soothe the anger, the confusion, and the deep sadness that weighs on my spirit.
Help me to let go of any bitterness or resentment that might take root in my heart. Grant me the grace to forgive those who have hurt me, and to forgive myself. I do not want this pain to define me or make my heart hard.
Gently, Lord, begin to stitch my heart back together. Fill me with Your unconditional love, a love that never fails or forsakes. Help me to believe that I am still whole and valuable in Your eyes. I trust that You can create beauty from these ashes and lead me toward a future filled with hope. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
When our hearts are broken, God does not turn away. He draws near to us with compassion and a promise to restore what has been damaged. As Psalm 147:3 beautifully states, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Prayer for Strength When I Feel Lost
Feeling lost and uncertain about the future can be disorienting and frightening. This prayer is a request for guidance from God, our Good Shepherd, asking Him to light our path and lead us in the right direction.
Good Shepherd, I feel completely lost. I don’t know which way to turn or what the next step should be. The path ahead is foggy, and I am filled with uncertainty. I confess that I am anxious because I cannot see the way forward.
I am Your sheep, and I need to hear Your voice. Please quiet all the other voices of confusion, fear, and bad advice so that I can clearly hear Your gentle guidance. Show me the way I should go. I don’t need to see the entire journey, Lord, just the very next step to take.
Give me the strength and the faith to take that step, trusting that You are leading me. Help me to be patient and still as I wait for Your direction. Protect me from making impulsive decisions out of fear or impatience. I want to follow Your will, not my own.
Be my lamp in the darkness and my guide in this wilderness. I place my hand in Yours and trust that You will lead me out of this confusion and into a place of clarity and purpose. Help me to trust the journey, even when the destination is unseen. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
It is okay to admit that we are lost. In fact, it is in that moment of surrender that we are most open to God’s guidance. He promises to teach and lead us. Psalm 25:4-5 is the perfect plea: “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
Prayer for Renewed Strength Each Morning
Each new day is a gift, but sometimes we wake up feeling already tired from yesterday’s battles. This is a morning prayer for a fresh infusion of God’s strength to face the day with renewed energy and purpose.
Gracious God, I thank You for the gift of this new day and for the life You have given me. I admit that I wake up feeling tired, not just in my body, but in my spirit. The burdens of yesterday still feel heavy, and I need Your strength to face today.
As the sun rises, I ask that You would fill me with Your divine energy. Renew my mind, restore my soul, and refresh my body. Pour Your strength into me like a morning rain that washes away the dust and weariness. Help me to start this day not with my own limited power, but with Your limitless supply.
Help me to set my focus on You today. In every task I perform, in every conversation I have, let me do it with a spirit of love and a heart full of Your grace. Protect me from negativity and discouragement. Let me be a reflection of Your light to others.
I commit this day to You, Lord. All my actions, thoughts, and words are for Your glory. Thank you for the promise that Your mercies are new every morning. Let me walk in that truth today, feeling strong, capable, and peaceful because I am walking with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
We don’t have to rely on leftover strength from yesterday. God offers a fresh supply of grace and power every single morning if we only ask for it. This promise is captured in Isaiah 40:31, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Prayer for Protection from Evil and Temptation
We face spiritual battles daily, with temptations that seek to pull us away from God. This prayer asks for the strength to stand firm against evil and the wisdom to choose God’s path in every situation.
Lord God, my Protector, I know that I live in a world with temptations and spiritual dangers. I ask You today for Your divine protection over my heart, my mind, and my soul. Guard me from the influences of evil that seek to weaken my faith and lead me astray.
When I am faced with temptation, Lord, give me the strength to say no. Help me to see the momentary pleasure for the trap that it is. Remind me that sin only leads to pain and separation from You. Let my desire to honor You be stronger than any temptation I face.
Clothe me in Your spiritual armor. Give me the belt of truth to defeat lies, the shield of faith to quench all doubts, and the sword of the Spirit, which is Your Word, to fight back. Help me to stand firm and not give an inch of ground to the enemy.
Purify my heart and my thoughts. Keep my eyes focused on what is pure, lovely, and good. Surround me with Your holy presence, creating a fortress around me that no evil can penetrate. I trust in Your power to keep me safe and on the right path. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Recognizing our need for spiritual protection is a sign of wisdom, not weakness. God has given us the tools to stand firm against evil if we choose to use them. Ephesians 6:11 instructs us, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Prayer for Strength for a Loved One
Watching someone we love struggle is one of the hardest things in life. This prayer is an act of intercession, asking God to pour out His strength and peace upon a friend or family member in their time of need.
Heavenly Father, I come to You today not for myself, but with a heavy heart for my loved one, [Name]. You see their struggle so clearly. You know the weight they are carrying and the battle they are fighting, whether it is in their body, their mind, or their spirit.
I feel helpless watching them, but I know that You are all-powerful. I lift them up to You now and ask that You would intervene in their life. Please surround them with Your undeniable presence. Let them feel Your peace that calms all fear and Your love that brings deep comfort.
Please grant them the exact kind of strength they need for this moment. If they are physically weak, bring healing and energy. If they are emotionally broken, mend their heart. If they are spiritually lost, guide them back to You. Be everything they need right now.
Use me, Lord, to be Your hands and feet to them. Show me how to love and support them in a way that truly helps. Let my words and actions be a source of encouragement, pointing them back to You, the ultimate source of all strength and hope. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Praying for others is a powerful act of love. When we lift up our loved ones, we are inviting the God of the universe to step into their situation with His grace. This desire for their well-being is reflected in 3 John 1:2: “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”
Prayer for Healing from Past Wounds
The wounds of the past—from mistakes, regrets, or hurts—can keep us in a prison of shame and pain. This prayer is for the strength to let go, to forgive, and to allow God to heal our memories and make us new.
Lord, my Healer, I carry wounds from my past that still cause me pain today. Memories of old hurts, past mistakes, and deep regrets weigh on my soul and keep me from living fully in the present. I bring these painful memories to You for healing.
Please walk back with me into those moments of pain. Where I felt abandoned, show me that You were there. Where I felt shame, cover me with Your grace. Where I felt broken, begin to piece me back together. I ask You to transform these memories from sources of pain into reminders of Your faithfulness.
Grant me the strength to forgive those who have wounded me, releasing them from the debt I feel they owe me. Even more, Lord, help me to forgive myself for my own failures. Let me accept the total and complete forgiveness You offer through Jesus Christ.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. I don’t want to be defined by my past. I want to be defined by my identity as Your beloved child. Heal me from the inside out, so that I can step into the future feeling free, whole, and unburdened. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
God’s healing is not limited to our present or future; He can reach back and redeem our past. When we surrender our old wounds to Him, He makes us a new creation. This promise is clear in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Prayer for Trust in God’s Perfect Plan
When life doesn’t make sense and our plans fall apart, it’s hard to trust that God has a bigger purpose. This is a prayer for the strength to surrender our own understanding and trust completely in God’s sovereign and loving plan.
Sovereign Lord, I confess that I do not understand what is happening in my life right now. My plans have crumbled, and the path forward is not what I imagined. My heart is tempted to question Your goodness and to doubt Your plan for me.
In this moment of confusion, I choose to place my trust in You. I may not understand Your ways, but I trust Your heart. I know that You are good, that You love me, and that You are working all things together for my ultimate good, even when I cannot see it.
Please give me the strength to let go of my need for control. Help me to release my own timeline and my own expectations. I surrender my will to Yours. Help me to have a faith that trusts You not only when the path is easy and clear, but especially when it is difficult and confusing.
Remind me that Your perspective is eternal and You see the whole picture. Quiet my anxious heart with the truth that I am safely in Your hands. Let my prayer be, “Your will be done,” and help me to truly mean it. I choose faith over fear, and trust over doubt. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
True spiritual strength is found in surrendering our will to God’s. It’s a courageous act of faith to trust His plan above our own, believing He knows best. Proverbs 3:5-6 is the ultimate guide for this trust: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
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