These seven alternative sets of Prayers of the Faithful for the sick include intentions for people living with illness, their families, and those who provide care. Bring your chosen set to the priest or parish liturgy coordinator to review before Mass. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, nos. 69–71, guides the Universal Prayer.
Choose one set or a few suitable petitions, rather than reading all seven alternatives. These examples end with “let us pray to the Lord”; the congregation may respond, “Lord, hear our prayer.” Agree the response with your parish. Add names only with permission, check pronunciation, and avoid announcing private medical details. The priest introduces and concludes the prayer; the reader announces the intentions and leaves time for the response. To keep a copy, use your browser’s Print menu and choose Save as PDF.
Choosing the intentions
The sets of intentions in this post contain two optional intentions, labeled I and II. Intention I addresses a local, topical need for the living, while Intention II is for the deceased, with an option to add names if customary.
1. For the sick and those who care for them
- For the holy Catholic Church, that through her sacramental life and ministers, she may bring Christ’s healing to the sick and suffering, let us pray to the Lord.
- For those battling illness in mind, body or spirit, that they may experience the Lord’s consolation through the Church’s life of prayer and charity, let us pray to the Lord.
- For doctors, nurses and caregivers, that the Holy Spirit may guide them with wisdom, skill and compassion in serving the sick, let us pray to the Lord.
- For families with ailing loved ones, that they may be strengthened by faith and the supportive prayers of the Church, let us pray to the Lord.
I. For our sick, bereaved, and all those involved in special projects or events, let us pray to the Lord.
II. That the Son of Man may grant his salvation to those who have died, especially N., let us pray to the Lord.
2. For chronic and terminal illness
- For the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church, that she may faithfully manifest Christ’s healing ministry to a suffering world, let us pray to the Lord.
- For the chronically and terminally ill, that they may find peace, patient endurance and spiritual healing in Christ, let us pray to the Lord.
- For medical professionals, that Christ may make them instruments of his compassionate love for the afflicted, let us pray to the Lord.
- For those who labor to alleviate suffering through medical research, that their work may be blessed, let us pray to the Lord.
I. For our sick, bereaved, and all those involved in special projects or events, let us pray to the Lord.
II. That the Son of Man may grant his salvation to those who have died, especially N., let us pray to the Lord.
3. For long-term illness and family carers
- For the Church, that she may tirelessly proclaim Christ as the Divine Physician and source of eternal healing, let us pray to the Lord.
- For all who suffer chronic or debilitating conditions, that they may find relief and persevere in faith through the prayers of the Church, let us pray to the Lord.
- For nurses, doctors and caregivers, that they may have the spiritual stamina to serve the sick with Christ’s compassion, let us pray to the Lord.
- For families caring for the terminally ill, that they may be uplifted by the Church’s loving solidarity, let us pray to the Lord.
I. For our sick, bereaved, and all those involved in special projects or events, let us pray to the Lord.
II. That the Son of Man may grant his salvation to those who have died, especially N., let us pray to the Lord.
4. For mental illness and spiritual distress
- For the Church, that she may unceasingly call the world to spiritual healing through repentance and faith in Christ, let us pray to the Lord.
- For those afflicted by mental illness or deep spiritual anguish, that they may find solace in the tender mercy of the Church, let us pray to the Lord.
- For healthcare ministers, that they may have a deep spiritual reserve from which to draw compassion for the suffering, let us pray to the Lord.
- For those who feel a calling to medical research, that their efforts to conquer disease may be blessed by the Lord, let us pray to the Lord.
I. For our sick, bereaved, and all those involved in special projects or events, let us pray to the Lord.
II. That the Son of Man may grant his salvation to those who have died, especially N., let us pray to the Lord.
5. For the terminally ill and their families
- For the Church, that she may radiantly reflect to the world the merciful heart of the Divine Physician, let us pray to the Lord.
- For the terminally ill, that they may be granted serenity through faith in the promise of eternal life, let us pray to the Lord.
- For healthcare workers, that Christ may renew their spirits and guide their hands as they tend to the sick, let us pray to the Lord.
- For families wearied by years of caring for the chronically ill, that they may persevere through the hope and prayers of the Church, let us pray to the Lord.
I. For our sick, bereaved, and all those involved in special projects or events, let us pray to the Lord.
II. That the Son of Man may grant his salvation to those who have died, especially N., let us pray to the Lord.
6. For anxiety, depression and medical care
- For the Church, that she may faithfully bring souls to the source of everlasting healing found in Christ alone, let us pray to the Lord.
- For those oppressed by mental suffering, anxiety or depression, that they may be freed by the truth of Christ’s victory, let us pray to the Lord.
- For physicians and all who devote their lives to conquering disease, that they may be guided by ethical science and ennobled intentions, let us pray to the Lord.
- For families bearing the cross of a disabled or terminally ill loved one, that their faith may not falter, let us pray to the Lord.
I. For our sick, bereaved, and all those involved in special projects or events, let us pray to the Lord.
II. That the Son of Man may grant his salvation to those who have died, especially N., let us pray to the Lord.
7. For chronic pain and those who provide care
- For the Church, that she may perseveringly call all peoples to the sanctifying truth that brings spiritual healing, let us pray to the Lord.
- For those afflicted by painful, chronic or degenerative conditions, that they may unite their sufferings to Christ’s for the salvation of souls, let us pray to the Lord.
- For medical professionals, that through their committed service, they may witness to the dignity of every life, let us pray to the Lord.
- For families wearied from years of caregiving, that they may be refreshed by the tenderness of the Church, let us pray to the Lord.
I. For our sick, bereaved, and all those involved in special projects or events, let us pray to the Lord.
II. That the Son of Man may grant his salvation to those who have died, especially N., let us pray to the Lord.
More prayers and reader guidance
For a more specific occasion, see our intercessions for the sick and elderly and intercessions for the sick and dying. Our guide to reading the Prayers of the Faithful can help the person announcing the intentions prepare.
Related:
- Prayers of the Faithful for Baptism
- Prayers of the Faithful for Students
- Prayers of the Faithful for Birthdays
- What is prayer of the Faithful?
- How To Correctly Write Prayers of the Faithful