Waiting for medical test results, a biopsy, a scan or a diagnosis, can be one of the hardest kinds of waiting. Jesus invites us to bring every fear to him: “Be nothing solicitous; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God.” Below are Catholic prayers before a test, while waiting for results, for a loved one, for receiving difficult news and for giving thanks, with Scripture and saints to pray with.
A prayer before a medical test
Written for this page:
Lord Jesus, divine Physician, I place this test in your hands.
Calm my fears, guide the doctors, nurses and technicians,
and let everything be done carefully and well.
Whatever the result, I trust that you are with me. Amen.
A prayer for good test results
Heavenly Father, you know every cell of my body.
I ask you, if it is your will, for good results:
that the test will show health and not illness.
Give me peace while I wait,
keep me from imagining the worst,
and help me to trust you one hour at a time. Amen.
This prayer was written for this page.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice.
Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is nigh.
Be nothing solicitous; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
A prayer while waiting for biopsy or scan results
Lord, the waiting is hard. My mind races and my heart is anxious.
Stay close to me in these days.
Let me sleep, eat and work in peace,
and help me to remember that I am held by your love whatever happens.
Mary, Health of the Sick, pray for me. Amen.
This prayer was written for this page. See also the Catholic prayer for anxiety.
A prayer for a loved one’s test results
Lord, I bring before you (name), who is waiting for test results.
Give him (her) courage and peace,
guide those who will read the results,
and grant good news, if it is your will.
Help me to be a calm and loving support. Amen.
This prayer was written for this page.
A prayer when the news is hard
Lord, the news is not what we hoped for.
I feel afraid and overwhelmed.
Be my strength now; give me good doctors and wise choices,
people to walk with me, and the grace to take one step at a time.
I unite my fear and my suffering with your Cross,
and I trust you to bring good even out of this. Amen.
This prayer was written for this page. See the Catholic prayer for healing and the St. Peregrine prayer, patron of those with cancer.
A prayer of thanksgiving for good news
Thank you, Lord, for the good news!
Thank you for my health, for the doctors and nurses,
and for everyone who prayed for me.
Help me to live this gift of health for your glory. Amen.
This prayer was written for this page. See Catholic prayers of gratitude.
Scripture for times of waiting
Fear not, for I am with thee: turn not aside, for I am thy God: I have strengthened thee, and have helped thee, and the right hand of my just one hath upheld thee.
Saints to pray with
- St. Raphael, whose name means “God heals.” See the St. Raphael prayer.
- St. Peregrine, patron of those with cancer.
- St. Luke, the physician evangelist. See the St. Luke prayer.
- St. Agatha, patron of those with breast cancer. See the St. Agatha prayer.
- Our Lady of Lourdes, Health of the Sick. See Our Lady of Lourdes.
Frequently asked questions
Is it okay to pray for good test results?
Yes. Jesus invites us to ask for what we need. We ask with trust, and we also ask for the grace to accept God’s will whatever the result.
Who is the patron saint of medical tests?
There is no official patron, but Catholics often pray to St. Raphael, St. Peregrine, St. Luke and Our Lady of Lourdes when they are waiting for medical news.
How can I calm my anxiety while waiting for results?
Pray short prayers through the day (“Jesus, I trust in you”), stay with people who love you, limit searching symptoms online, and talk to your doctor about your worries.
More prayers
- Prayer before surgery
- Catholic prayer for healing
- Prayer for the sick
- Catholic prayer for anxiety
- Patron saints of healing
- Catholic prayer for a miracle
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Philippians 4:4–7; Isaias (Isaiah) 41:10, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
- The prayers were written for this page.