Praying for those who are ill.

In St. Columbas we have a number of parishioners committed to praying for the sick in the parish.

Below are some prayers which might help structure prayer for those who are praying for friends / family who are sick at home / hospitals

Prayers for the sick

Jesus our Healer,

We place into your gentle hands those who are sick especially ….

Ease their pain, and heal the damage done to them in body, mind or spirit.

Be present to them through the support of friends and in the care of doctors and nurses, and fill them with the warmth of your love now and always. Amen (Source: Book of a thousand Prayers )

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the same, yesterday, today and forever, and you have promised to be with us all our days. We pray for all elderly people, especially those who are ill or house-bound. In their weakness may they find your strength and in their loneliness know the Joy of your presence. Be to them a sure and certain hope. – MU Prayer book

Lord, you are the centre of life. In you lie stillness and peace. Help us be aware of you each day, that in all our stress and distress, we may find stillness and peace. Amen

Lord God, I hold before you this day all those who are in need: the sick, the afflicted, the lonely and the sad, especially …… May they experience your presence, and so find strength and grace through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

You are a loving, forgiving, healing God. May we know you in love, experience your forgiveness and be made whole from your healing. Amen (Source: Canon Jim Nelson, Hands Up, Church of Ireland At prayer, p 8)

Almighty God and loving father, I hold up to thee, those for whom I am specially concerned, knowing that thy will for them is the best and most loving thing imaginable, realizing that thou knowest their necessities far better than I do. But I ask thee to keep each one free from pain, free from fear, that he or she may relax in thy love, and if it be thy gracious will, lay thy healing hand upon them. I pray especially for …

This I ask, through him who went about healing all manner of sickness among the people, and who heals us still, thy beloved son, our Saviour Jesus Christ our Lord – Amen

(Source: A parishioner of Dundrum Parish, Dublin, Hands Up, Church of Ireland At prayer, P8)

Prayers for those who care for the sick

Living God, source of Light and life, we come to you as broken members of your body;

Your strength is our strength, your health is our health, and your being is our being.

Grant your wisdom in our work,

Your love in our pain

And your peace in our hearts.

Send your blessing on all those who care for the sick, the lonely and those who mourn.

O God, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially, we pray for the good estate of the Catholic Church; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those who are any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; [* especially those for whom our prayers are desired]; that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ his sake. Amen. (Source: BCP 2004, p99)

Some Bible verses which speak of prayer

John 16:23-24

Jesus said “I tell you the truth, my father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete".

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.

Isaiah 65:24 Before they call I will answer, while they are still speaking I will hear” says the Lord.

Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

From the Book of Common Prayer 2004

- Intercessions from the celebration of Healing and wholeness. p 459.

- Daily prayer structures p139 -144.

Other ideas for prayer

• Pray for wisdom for the Rector and the Curate as they minister into situations of illness and bereavement.
• For the families & circle of friends of the individuals on the prayer list.
• For the nurses, doctors, social workers and other professionals as they seek to care for the situation.
• Pray that the peace of God would be sustain the individual and that they would find God ministering to them in the circumstances they currently find themselves in at this time.
• Read the healing of the paralytic (Luke 5:17-26) and reflect on people bringing the man into the presence of God.