Pray now
Prayers for the sick
You can pray right now. These are old prayers of the Church, printed as the old prayer books printed them. Pray them for yourself or for someone you love.
Prayer to St. Raphael the Archangel
Glorious Archangel St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, illustrious for thy gifts of wisdom and grace, guide of travelers by land and sea, consoler of the unfortunate, and refuge of sinners, I entreat thee to help me in all my needs and in all the trials of this life, as thou didst once assist the young Tobias in his journeying. And since thou art the “physician of God,” I humbly pray thee to heal my soul of its many infirmities and my body of the ills that afflict it, if it be for my greater good. I ask, especially, for angelic purity, that I may be made fit to be the living temple of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
F. X. Lasance, With God (New York: Benziger Brothers, 1911).
Prayer for a sick person
Say the sick person's name where the prayer says N.N.
The old wording is written for a man. Pray it for anyone.
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 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. But if it be Thy holy will to call him out of this world, strengthen him in his last hour, grant him a peaceful death and life everlasting. Amen.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory.
F. X. Lasance, My Prayer Book (New York: Benziger Brothers, 1908), p. 616.
Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes
O ever immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, health of the sick, refuge of sinners, comfort of the afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings; deign to cast upon me a look of mercy. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors, and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal. I come, therefore, with unbounded confidence, to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the grant of my requests. I will endeavor to imitate your virtues, that I may one day share your glory, and bless you in eternity. Amen.
F. X. Lasance, My Prayer Book (New York: Benziger Brothers, 1908), p. 561.
The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary! that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, and sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother! To thee I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O mother of the Word incarnate! despise not my petitions, but, in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.
F. X. Lasance, My Prayer Book (New York: Benziger Brothers, 1908), p. 214.
Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me.
Permit me not to be separated from Thee.
From the malignant enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me,
And bid me come to Thee,
That, with Thy saints, I may praise Thee
For ever and ever. Amen.
F. X. Lasance, My Prayer Book (New York: Benziger Brothers, 1908), p. 141.
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
Holy Michael Archangel, defend us in the day of battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust down to hell Satan and all wicked spirits, who roam through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
F. X. Lasance, My Prayer Book (New York: Benziger Brothers, 1908), p. 273.
Short prayers
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
The Raccolta (1910), no. 281.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Litany of Loreto, in F. X. Lasance, My Prayer Book (1908).
Scripture for the sick
From the Douay-Rheims Bible, 1899 edition. Its book names are older: Jeremias is Jeremiah, Isaias is Isaiah, Tobias is Tobit, and Ecclesiasticus is Sirach. Psalm numbers follow the old count.
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed: save me, and I shall be saved, for thou art my praise.
Who healeth the broken of heart, and bindeth up their bruises.
Surely he hath borne our infirmities and carried our sorrows: and we have thought him as it were a leper, and as one struck by God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our iniquities, he was bruised for our sins: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his bruises we are healed.
Come to me, all you that labour, and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is sweet and my burden light.
And he said to her: Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole: go in peace, and be thou whole of thy disease.
Him when Jesus had seen lying, and knew that he had been now a long time, he saith to him: Wilt thou be made whole? ... Jesus saith to him: Arise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole: and he took up his bed, and walked. And it was the sabbath that day.
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. Confess therefore your sins one to another: and pray one for another, that you may be saved. For the continual prayer of a just man availeth much.
The Church reads this passage as the Anointing of the Sick, which a priest gives. Ask your parish priest.
Honour the physician for the need thou hast of him: for the most High hath created him. ... My son, in thy sickness neglect not thyself, but pray to the Lord, and he shall heal thee. ... For the Lord created him: and let him not depart from thee, for his works are necessary.
Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner revision, 1899 edition (John Murphy Company), as published at drbo.org.
Saints to ask for help
- St. Raphael the Archangel, September 29.
I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord.
(Tobias 12:15) - St. Luke the Evangelist, October 18. Scripture calls Luke
the most dear physician
(Colossians 4:14). - Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11. It is also the World Day of the Sick.
- Sts. Cosmas and Damian, September 26. Early Christian physicians and martyrs who took no pay for their care.
- St. Peregrine Laziosi, May 4, kept by the Servite Order. Patron of people with cancer.
- St. Pio of Pietrelcina, September 23. A Capuchin priest.
- St. Charbel Makhlūf, July 24. A Maronite monk and hermit of Lebanon.
- St. André Bessette, January 6 in the United States. A Holy Cross brother who served as porter in Montreal and showed boundless charity to people in distress.
Want someone to pray with you?
Send a prayer request. It is always free.
Prayer, not medical care.