When someone in your family is sick, you can bring them to Jesus as the people of the Gospel did: Martha and Mary sent word, “Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick,” and Jairus begged Jesus to come and lay his hands on his little daughter. Below are Catholic prayers for a sick family member: a traditional prayer for a sick person, prayers for a sick mother or father, a sick child, a sick husband or wife, a prayer before surgery and in a serious illness, a prayer for the caregiver, and Scripture. Remember too that the Church offers the sick the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and Holy Communion brought to the home.
A short prayer for a sick family member, written for this page:
Lord Jesus, you healed the sick who were brought to you.
I bring you (name), whom I love. Take away the illness if it is your will, ease the pain,
give strength and peace, and guide the doctors and nurses. Amen.
A traditional prayer for a sick person
From Father Lasance’s With God (1911). Say the name at “N.N.”:
Most merciful Jesus, Who art the consolation and salvation of all who put their trust in Thee, we humbly beseech Thee, by Thy most bitter Passion, grant the recovery of his (or her) health to Thy servant N.N., provided this be for his soul’s welfare, that with us he may praise and magnify Thy holy name.
For a sick mother or father
Written for this page.
Lord, my mother (father) is sick, and I am afraid.
She (he) cared for me when I was small; now help me to care for her (him).
Heal her (him), if it is your will; give her (him) courage and peace;
and let her (him) feel the love of our family and of you. Amen.
For a sick child
Lord Jesus, you raised the daughter of Jairus and blessed the little children.
Look upon my child, (name), who is sick.
Heal my child, comfort my child in pain, and give us the strength to be calm and loving. Amen.
Jairus pleads for his daughter (Mark 5:22–23, Douay-Rheims):
And there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue named Jairus: and seeing him, falleth down at his feet.
And he besought him much, saying: My daughter is at the point of death, come, lay thy hand upon her, that she may be safe, and may live.
For a sick husband or wife
Lord, we promised to love each other in sickness and in health.
Now my husband (wife) is sick. Give him (her) healing and strength,
and give me patience, tenderness and hope as I care for him (her). Amen.
Before surgery
Lord, (name) is having surgery today.
Guide the hands of the surgeon and the whole team, protect (name) from complications,
and grant a quick and complete recovery. St. Raphael, pray for us. Amen.
See the patron saint of surgery.
In a serious illness
Lord, the news is hard, and I do not know what will happen.
I place (name) in your hands. Give healing if it is your will;
give peace in every case; and prepare our hearts for whatever is to come.
Mary, Health of the Sick, pray for us. Amen.
For the caregiver
Lord, I am tired. Caring for (name) takes all my strength.
Renew me each day, give me patience when I am worn out, and help me to see you in the one I care for. Amen.
Scripture for a sick family member
John 11:3 (Douay-Rheims):
His sisters therefore sent to him, saying: Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14–15, Douay-Rheims):
And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother lying, and sick of a fever:
And he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she arose and ministered to them.
The anointing of the sick (James 5:14–15, Douay-Rheims):
Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests 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 man: and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him.
The sacraments for the sick
- The Anointing of the Sick can be received by anyone seriously ill, before surgery, or weakened by old age. Call your parish. See last rites.
- Holy Communion can be brought to the sick at home or in hospital by a priest, deacon or extraordinary minister.
- Confession brings peace and strength to the sick.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the patron saint of the sick?
St. Camillus de Lellis and St. John of God, patrons of the sick and of hospitals; St. Raphael the Archangel, whose name means “God heals”; and Our Lady of Lourdes. See the patron saints of healing.
Can I ask others to pray for my sick family member?
Yes. Ask your parish, your friends, and the saints. You can also have a Mass offered for the sick person.
What is the most powerful Catholic prayer for healing?
The Mass and the sacraments are the Church’s greatest prayers. Among personal prayers, many turn to the Catholic prayer for healing and to the intercession of Mary.
More prayers
- Prayer for the sick
- Catholic prayer for healing
- Patron saints of healing
- Psalms for healing
- St. Raphael prayer
- Prayers for the dying
Texts and sources
- Prayer for a Sick Person, in F. X. Lasance, With God (1911), public domain (Wikisource).
- Mark 5:22–23; John 11:3; Matthew 8:14–15; James 5:14–15 (Douay-Rheims).