Catholic Prayers for the Sick: Traditional Prayers, Saints and the Anointing

When a priest visited a sick Catholic, he said short prayers over the bed and sprinkled the person with holy water. The rite is printed in English in the Manual of Prayers of 1888, which was prepared for American Catholics by order of the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore. Family and friends can say its prayers at home or at the hospital, putting the sick person’s name where the book prints N. and saying “she” for a woman.

O God, the one only remedy for human infirmity, show forth upon this Thy sick servant the power of Thine aid, that, strengthened by the might of Thy tender mercy, he may be found worthy to be restored whole unto Thy holy Church.

A Manual of Prayers for the Use of the Catholic Laity (1888), The Visitation of the Sick, p. 495

The same book gives prayers for the sick to say for themselves, and this one is headed “Prayer in the Beginning of Sickness.” It asks for recovery and for patience together. The full prayer is longer, and the lines left out here ask for sorrow for sin and for freedom from “fretfulness and impatience.”

O heavenly Father, who in Thy wisdom knowest what is best for me, glory be to Thee. Lord, if it seem good in Thy sight, remove from me this sickness which I now feel seizing upon me, that I may employ my health to Thy glory, and praise Thy name. … Lord, bless all the means that are used for my recovery, and restore me to my health, if it be Thy will, in Thy good time; but if Thou hast appointed otherwise for me, Thy blessed will be done.

A Manual of Prayers (1888), Devotions for the Sick, pp. 459–460

Father F. X. Lasance’s Catholic Girl’s Guide (1906) gives this prayer for a sick member of a Marian sodality, a parish society of Catholic girls and women. It is printed for a woman; for a man, say “our brother” and “his.”

Let us pray for our Sister N., who is sick. O most merciful Jesus, Who art the succor and the solace of all who put their trust in Thee, we humbly beseech Thee, by Thy most bitter Passion, grant the recovery of her health to thy servant who is sick, provided this be for her soul’s welfare, that with us she may again praise and magnify Thy holy name in Thy temple. But if it be Thy holy will to call her out of this world, strengthen and assist her in her last hour, grant her a peaceful death and eternal life hereafter with Thee and the Father and the Holy Ghost unto all eternity. Amen.

Lasance, The Catholic Girl’s Guide (1906), Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary, p. 637

Catholics ask the saints to pray for them as they would ask a friend, and Orthodox Christians do the same, while most Protestants pray to God alone. For the sick, these are the saints Catholics ask most often.

Mary, Health of the Sick. The Litany of Loreto, the Church’s long litany of the Blessed Virgin, calls her “Health of the sick” (Salus infirmorum). In 1992 Pope John Paul II instituted the World Day of the Sick, to be kept every year from 1993 on 11 February, the commemoration of Our Lady of Lourdes. He called it “a special time of prayer and sharing, of offering one’s suffering for the good of the Church.”

Saint Raphael the Archangel. The Catholic Encyclopedia of 1911 gives the meaning of his name as “God has healed.” In the Book of Tobit, which Catholic Bibles include and most Protestant Bibles do not, Raphael travels with the young Tobias and then reveals himself: “the Lord hath sent me to heal thee, and to deliver Sara thy son’s wife from the devil. For I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord” (Tobias 12:14–15, Douay-Rheims). Lasance’s prayer book gives this prayer to him, with an indulgence granted by Pope Leo XIII in 1890:

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.

Lasance, The Catholic Girl’s Guide (1906), Prayer to St. Raphael, Archangel, p. 601

Sickness weakens the body, and sometimes the spirit along with it. Here we ask God to touch the sick with healing for the body and strength for the soul, believing that he cares for the whole of us and wants us well.

Heavenly Father, we come before You today lifting up those who are unwell. We ask for Your healing touch upon them, Lord. Just as You healed the sick when You walked the earth, we pray for that same miraculous power to flow through those in need right now.

Grant them strength, Lord, not just in their bodies, but in their hearts and minds. When pain and discomfort try to steal their peace, fill them with Your unshakeable strength. Help them to feel Your loving presence surrounding them, like a warm embrace that soothes all fear and anxiety.

We pray for renewed energy for tired bodies, for restoration of damaged cells and tissues, and for a complete return to health according to Your will. May this illness be a time where their faith in You deepens, and they experience Your profound love in a new way. Remind them that they are not alone, for You are with them, holding their hand through every moment.

We trust in Your goodness and Your power. Lift their spirits, encourage their hearts, and bring healing in its fullest sense.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Suffering is heavy to carry, and it can leave a person feeling alone and overwhelmed. This prayer asks God to come close and comfort them, like a gentle hand on a troubled heart, so that they find rest in his presence even when the pain stays.

Merciful Father, we lift to You those who are enduring suffering. Their bodies ache, their hearts are heavy, and their spirits may be weary. In these moments of deep trial, we ask You to draw especially near to them and be their ultimate comfort.

Lord, let them feel Your gentle presence in the quiet moments, in the long nights, and in the midst of their pain. May Your peace, which is beyond all understanding, guard their hearts and minds. Help them to know that they are not forgotten or alone in their suffering.

Send Your Holy Spirit to be their Comforter, to whisper words of hope and reassurance. When the journey feels too hard, and the pain too great, remind them of Your enduring love and faithfulness. Help them to cast all their anxieties on You, because You care for them deeply.

May they find moments of relief, glimmers of light in the darkness, and the strength to face each new moment. Surround them with loving people who can also bring comfort and support.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

When sickness drags on, it is easy to grow frustrated and impatient. This prayer asks God for the grace of patience and endurance, so that the sick can bear the trial with a steady heart, keep trusting his timing, and find the strength to wait well.

Gracious God, we pray today for those who are sick and find themselves in a season of waiting – waiting for healing, waiting for relief, waiting for answers. In this time of uncertainty and discomfort, we ask for the precious gifts of patience and endurance.

Lord, it is so hard to be patient when we are not feeling well. It is difficult to endure pain or weakness day after day. Please pour out Your spirit of perseverance upon those who are struggling. Help them to take one moment at a time, one hour at a time, one day at a time, leaning on You for the strength they need.

Quiet their restless hearts and calm their anxious thoughts. Remind them that You are working in ways they may not see, and that Your timing is perfect, even when it doesn’t feel like it to them. Help them to use this time to draw closer to You, to find rest in Your presence, and to grow in faith.

May they not lose heart, but be renewed inwardly day by day. Grant them the endurance to see this through, trusting that You will carry them.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Illness often brings a crowd of worries and fears with it, and they can take our peace away. In this prayer we ask God for a calm mind in the middle of the suffering, and for his peace to guard our hearts and our thoughts.

Lord of all Peace, we come before You on behalf of those who are sick and whose minds are troubled with anxiety and fear. Illness can bring so many worries – about the future, about loved ones, about the pain itself. We ask You, Prince of Peace, to calm the storms within them.

Please grant them a profound sense of Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Let it settle over their minds like a gentle blanket, soothing away the anxious thoughts and fearful imaginings. Help them to release their burdens and worries into Your capable hands, trusting in Your loving care for them.

When their thoughts race and their hearts are restless, remind them of Your constant presence and Your promises. Help them to focus on Your goodness and Your power rather than the uncertainties of their condition. May they rest in the knowledge that You are in control and that You love them infinitely.

Fill their minds with thoughts of hope, courage, and Your unwavering faithfulness.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

When someone we love is sick, we often feel helpless, and yet we can still pray for them and bring them to God for his healing and care. This prayer puts our love and our worry into words and asks God for his best for them.

Compassionate Father, we come to You with a heavy heart today, lifting up our dear loved one who is sick. It is so hard to see them suffer, and we earnestly desire their complete healing and well-being.

Lord, we ask You to lay Your gentle, healing hands upon them. Touch their body where it is afflicted, bringing relief from pain and restoration to health. Pour out Your strength into their weakness and Your comfort into their distress. Please surround them with Your loving presence, so they know they are not alone in this battle.

Grant wisdom and skill to the doctors and nurses caring for them. Guide every decision and every treatment. We also pray for their spirits, Lord. Lift any fear or discouragement, and fill them with Your peace and hope. Help us, their family and friends, to be a source of constant support, love, and encouragement. Show us how we can best care for them and lighten their burden.

We place our precious loved one into Your merciful hands, trusting in Your perfect will and Your infinite love.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Those who look after the sick give themselves to it day after day, and few people thank them. This prayer is for them. It recognizes what they give up, and it asks God to keep them well and to give them strength, patience and resilience for work that is as demanding as it is loving.

God of all Compassion, we turn our hearts to You today to pray for those who are caregivers. They pour out their love, energy, and time to care for the sick, often at great personal cost. We ask You to bless them abundantly for their selfless service.

Lord, grant them extraordinary strength for the tasks before them. When they feel weary, renew their energy. When they feel overwhelmed, grant them Your peace. Give them wells of patience, especially when the days are long and challenging. Provide them with wisdom to make good decisions and to offer the best possible care.

Protect their own health, Lord – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Help them to find moments of rest and refreshment. Surround them with a supportive community that can offer help and encouragement. Remind them that the work they do is sacred and seen by You. May they feel Your presence with them, guiding their hands and comforting their hearts.

Help them to remember to also care for themselves, so they do not become completely depleted.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Doctors, nurses and everyone on the medical staff carry a heavy responsibility for the sick, and we place a great deal of trust in their hands. This prayer asks God to guide them, and to give them wisdom, skill and compassion as they make hard decisions and give treatment.

O Great Physician, we lift up to You all doctors, nurses, surgeons, and medical professionals who are dedicated to the art of healing. We especially pray for those who are attending to our loved ones who are sick.

Grant them Your divine wisdom, Lord, as they diagnose illnesses and plan treatments. Guide their minds to understand complex situations and their hands to perform procedures with precision and skill. Give them keen insight, sound judgment, and clarity of thought, especially in critical moments.

Fill their hearts with compassion and empathy for their patients. Help them to communicate with kindness and understanding, bringing not only medical care but also a sense of comfort and reassurance. Protect them from fatigue and burnout, and renew their spirits so they can continue their vital work with dedication.

May they be instruments of Your healing power, Lord, working to restore health and alleviate suffering according to Your will.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

When illness comes, it is natural to ask why and to struggle with not knowing what will happen. This prayer asks for a deep trust in God’s loving plan when we cannot understand it, so that we can give him our will and find peace in his sovereignty.

Sovereign Lord, in times of sickness and uncertainty, it is often hard to understand what is happening or why. Our hearts are prone to anxiety and our minds search for answers. Today, we pray for the gift of profound trust in Your divine plan.

Help those who are sick, and those who love them, to rest in the knowledge that You are good, Your love is steadfast, and Your wisdom is infinite. Even when the path is dark and the future unclear, help them to hold onto the truth that You are working all things for good for those who love You.

Teach them to surrender their fears, their questions, and their desires into Your loving hands. Strengthen their faith to believe that even in illness, Your purposes are being fulfilled. May they find comfort in knowing that they are held securely by You, and that nothing can separate them from Your love.

Grant them the grace to say, “Your will be done,” not with resignation, but with a confident hope in Your unfailing care.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Sometimes an illness is made heavier by burdens of the heart, such as guilt, resentment, or a hurt we have never forgiven. This prayer asks for the healing of the spirit as well as the body: for God’s forgiveness, and for the grace to forgive others, so that a cleansed heart can know a deeper peace.

Merciful and Forgiving Father, we recognize that true healing involves the whole person – body, mind, and spirit. Today, we pray for those who are sick and may also be carrying spiritual burdens that weigh them down.

Lord, if there is any unconfessed sin, any guilt, or any shame that is hindering their peace, we ask for Your tender forgiveness. Help them to bring these things to You, knowing that You are faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse from all unrighteousness. Pour out Your healing balm upon their hearts, soothing old wounds and regrets.

If there is any bitterness, resentment, or unforgiveness towards others, grant them the grace to release it. Help them to forgive as they have been forgiven, freeing their spirits from these chains. May Your love flow through them, washing away all negativity and replacing it with peace.

We pray for a deep spiritual renewal, a refreshing of their soul, that they might experience the fullness of Your healing grace, both inwardly and outwardly.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Once the worst of an illness has passed, the long road of recovery begins. In this prayer we ask God to keep helping as strength, health and energy come back, until every part of life is whole again.

God of Restoration, we thank You for bringing Your servant through the most difficult stages of their illness. Now, as they are on the path to recovery, we ask for Your continued blessing upon them. We pray for a full and complete restoration of their health and strength.

Lord, mend what is broken, renew what is weary, and revitalize every part of their being. We pray for the healing of tissues, the strengthening of muscles, and the return of energy. May their body respond well to any ongoing treatments or therapies.

Beyond the physical, we pray for the restoration of their spirit and their joy. May any lingering effects of the illness – be it fatigue, weakness, or discouragement – give way to a renewed sense of purpose and well-being. Help them to patiently rebuild their life, and may they find new appreciation for the gift of health.

Guide them in making healthy choices that support their continued recovery. We look forward with hope to seeing them fully restored and active once more.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Sleep is hard to find when we are sick, and yet the body needs it to heal. This prayer asks God to give the sick a night of real rest, free from pain and anxiety, so that body and mind can mend.

Loving Shepherd, as night approaches, we lift up to You those who are sick and in need of peaceful rest. The nighttime can often feel long and difficult when one is not well. We ask You to grant them a night of serene and healing sleep.

Please calm any pain or discomfort that might keep them awake. Soothe their bodies and quiet their minds. Protect them from anxious thoughts, worries, or fears that may surface in the stillness of the night. May they feel Your comforting presence beside them, watching over them as they sleep.

Grant their bodies the deep rest needed to repair and recover. May their sleep be undisturbed and refreshing, so that they awaken in the morning with renewed strength and a lighter spirit. Let Your angels guard their room and fill it with Your peace.

We entrust them to Your loving care throughout the night.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Illness can bring despair and fear, and then it is hard to look ahead with any hope. This prayer asks God to fill the hearts of the sick with a steady hope and with courage for each day, trusting in his love and strength.

God of all Hope, in the midst of illness, it is easy for hearts to grow faint and for spirits to be discouraged. We pray today for a fresh infusion of Your divine hope and unshakeable courage for all who are sick.

Lord, when darkness seems to surround them, be their guiding light. When fear whispers doubts, let Your voice of reassurance be louder. Remind them of Your past faithfulness and Your promises for the future. Fill them with a hope that is not based on circumstances, but on Your unchanging character and Your mighty power.

Grant them courage to face each new day, with its challenges and uncertainties. Courage to endure pain, to undergo treatments, and to keep fighting for health. Help them to know that they are not alone in this battle, for You are with them, strengthening them and upholding them.

May their hearts be lifted, their spirits emboldened, and their eyes fixed on You, the author and perfecter of their faith.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.