Prayers for the Hospital
Prayer Before a Medical Test, Thanksgiving for Leaving, and More
Oct 27, 2009
A hospital visit is a time of anxiety and waiting for both the hospital patient and his or her family. The following prayers — prayer after admitted to a hospital, prayer before a medical test, prayer for healing, prayer for the family of those hospitalized, and thanksgiving for leaving the hospital — offer Christians and their families comfort during any hospitalization.
Prayer after Admitted to the Hospital
Being admitted to the hospital, for any reason, is a time of anxiety for the new patient and his or her family. The following prayer invites God into the unknown of the hospital visit and asks God to be present and bring healing and peace to all involved:
“God of power and might, please be with [insert patient’s name] as he/she enters the hospital. Let the medicine and treatment he/she receives bring him/her healing and relief. Guide the doctors, nurses, and all who care for [insert patient’s name], and heal him/her in body, mind, and spirit. Amen.”
The patient and his/her support group might offer this or a similar prayer while waiting in the admissions department to be taken to a room or after entering the new hospital room. If the patient is unable to participate, others might offer the prayer on his/her behalf.
Prayer Before a Medical Test
Many medical tests can be invasive and unpleasant. Worst of all, patients must wait to receive the procedure. The following prayer before a test is designed to calm any anxiety a patient might have as he or she waits for a medical test:
“God, be with [insert patient’s name] during [insert medical test or procedure]. Calm any fear, soothe any pain, and hold [insert patient’s name]’s hand throughout the procedure. Guide those administering the procedure, that it may be done quickly, efficiently, and painlessly, to the glory of Your name. Amen.”
One might offer this prayer to an anxious friend or family member as he/she waits for a medical test or pray the prayer while the individual is having the test done.
Prayer for the Family of the Hospitalized
When a loved one is hospitalized, a family may be forced to wait for hours at a time, as they anxiously anticipate news on the outcome of surgery or medical tests. The following prayer asks God to comfort those family members waiting in the hospital for news and the recovery of their loved one:
“Loving God, please be with [insert patient’s family or specific names] as they wait by [insert patient’s name]’s bedside. Strengthen them, encourage them, and remind them to be kind to themselves as they, too, remain hospitalized with [insert patient’s name]. Let the light of Your love shine in their lives, and grant them courage and hope as they wait for [insert patient’s name]’s recovery. In Your loving and precious name, Amen.”
Other family or friends at church might also offer this or another prayer for the family members of a hospitalized friend who are living at the hospital. The family may also offer this prayer to comfort each other while waiting at the hospital for news.
Prayer for Healing in the Hospital
Sometimes, a hospital stay is much longer than anyone could have expected. The following prayer asks God to offer healing and support to the patient, that he/she and his/her family may see some progress:
“God, Your precious Son healed the sick and breathed new life into those who were tired and weak. Breathe new life into [insert patient’s name], that he/she and all who loved him/her might see hope in this hospital visit. Amen.”
Visitors, family, or the patient might offer this prayer when feeling frustrated or stuck during a hospital visit. The patient might also repeat the phrase “breathe new life into me” to calm anxiety and invite God’s healing in his/her life.
Thanksgiving for Leaving the Hospital
Nothing brings a patient and his/her family more relief than leaving the hospital. The following thanksgiving rejoices with God in a hospital discharge:
“Loving God, thank you for [insert patient’s name]’s recovery and for all of those who cared for him/her during his/her hospital stay. Bless and keep [insert patient’s name] and all who love him/her, as they leave the hospital, and grant them all health and recovery. Amen.”
A hospital visit is a time of waiting, hoping, worrying, and healing. With prayer, a Christian and his/her family connect with God during this time for a source of strength and wisdom beyond themselves.
For other hospital related prayers, Prayers for Surgery: Prayer before the Operating Table, Thanksgiving for a Procedure and More or Prayers for Cancer: Prayer after Chemotherapy and More may be of interest.
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