Catholic Prayer for the Sick: Prayers for Healing and Strength

When someone you love is sick, prayer is one of the most loving things you can do for them. Here is a traditional Catholic prayer for a sick person, approved with an indulgence in the early twentieth century and printed in Father Lasance’s With God (1911). Say the person’s name where you see 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.

Then ask the prayers of Mary and St. Joseph:

O Mary! Mother of our Saviour,
Virgin, most powerful,
Virgin, most merciful,
Health of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
Comforter of the afflicted,
Help of Christians, pray for him (or her).
St. Joseph, pray for him (or her).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

Below you will find short prayers for healing, for someone in the hospital or facing surgery, for a sick child, for caregivers, and for when you are ill yourself, along with what the Church teaches about sickness and the Anointing of the Sick.

A short prayer for healing

These prayers were written for this guide.

Lord Jesus, you healed the sick who were brought to you.
I bring you N., who is ill.
Touch him (her) with your healing hand,
ease his (her) pain, calm his (her) fears,
and restore him (her) to health, if it is your will.
Above all, keep him (her) close to your Heart. Amen.

A prayer for someone in the hospital

Lord God, be with N. in the hospital today.
Guide the doctors, nurses and all who care for him (her).
Give him (her) rest at night and courage by day,
and let him (her) feel the love of family and friends,
even when we cannot be there. Amen.

A prayer before surgery

Heavenly Father, I place N. (myself) in your hands before this operation.
Guide the hands and minds of the surgeons and everyone on the team.
Take away fear, grant a safe operation and a good recovery,
and let your peace fill every heart that is waiting. Amen.

The Church recommends receiving the Anointing of the Sick before serious surgery (CCC 1515). See our guide to the last rites and Anointing of the Sick.

A prayer for a sick child

Lord Jesus, you blessed the little children and took them in your arms.
Hold N. close now.
Heal his (her) body, comfort his (her) heart,
and give us, his (her) family, strength and patience.
Mary, Mother of God, watch over this child as you watched over your Son. Amen.

A prayer for caregivers

God of compassion, bless all who care for the sick:
doctors, nurses, chaplains, and the families who keep watch at home.
Give them strength when they are tired,
gentleness when patients are afraid,
and the joy of knowing that what they do for the least of your brothers and sisters, they do for you. Amen.

A prayer when you are sick yourself

Lord, I am sick and weak, and I do not know what tomorrow will bring.
Help me to trust you.
Unite my suffering with yours on the Cross,
for my family, for the Church and for the whole world.
Give me patience with my body, with my caregivers and with myself,
and heal me, if it is your will. Amen.

What the Church teaches about sickness

Jesus has compassion on the sick. The Gospels show him healing “every disease and every infirmity” (Matthew 9:35, Douay-Rheims). The Catechism says his compassion toward the sick and his many healings “are a resplendent sign that ‘God has visited his people'” (CCC 1503).
Suffering can be united to Christ. By his Passion, Christ gave suffering a new meaning: it can unite us to his redemptive work (CCC 1505, 1521).
The Church gives a sacrament for the sick. The Anointing of the Sick strengthens those who are seriously ill or elderly and may be received more than once (CCC 1514–1515). Ask your parish. See last rites.
It is right to pray for healing and to seek medical care. Prayer and medicine are not rivals. “Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church, and let them pray over him” (James 5:14).

Saints to ask for help

Our Lady, Health of the Sick (Salus infirmorum), a title from the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
St. Joseph, patron of the dying: see the St. Joseph prayer
St. Jude, for desperate cases: see the St. Jude prayer
St. Raphael the Archangel, whose name means “God heals” (Tobit 12:15)
St. Peregrine, patron of those with cancer
St. Anthony of Padua: see the St. Anthony prayer

Prayers of the Faithful for the sick

If you are preparing the intercessions for a Mass for the sick or a parish healing service, see our sets of Prayers of the Faithful for the sick, for the sick and elderly and for the sick and dying. You can also have a Mass offered for someone who is ill.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Catholic prayer for the sick?

There is no single official prayer. The traditional prayer above, the prayers of the Church’s rite for the sick, and your own words are all good. Many Catholics pray a Rosary or a novena for a sick person.

Can I ask a priest to pray over a sick person?

Yes. Call your parish to ask for a visit, Holy Communion at home or in the hospital, and the Anointing of the Sick.

Is it a lack of faith if healing does not come?

No. God always hears our prayer, but he does not always answer by taking the illness away. He gives grace to bear it and, at the end, the healing of eternal life.

More prayers

Texts and sources

Traditional prayer for a sick person: F. X. Lasance, With God (1911), Indulgenced Prayers, public domain.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1503–1505 and 1514–1515, 1521.
Matthew 9:35; James 5:14; Tobit 12:15, Douay-Rheims Bible.