Catholic Health East (CHE) is a multi-institutional Catholic health system, co-sponsored by nine religious congregations and Hope Ministries, a Public Juridic Person. Based in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, CHE’s health ministries are located in 11 eastern states from Maine to Florida. The System includes 34 acute care hospitals, four long-term acute care hospitals, 25 freestanding and hospital-based long-term care facilities, 14 assisted living facilities, four continuing care retirement communities, eight behavioral health and rehabilitation facilities, 37 home health/hospice agencies, and numerous ambulatory and community-based health agencies.
Our Mission Catholic Health East is a community of persons committed to being a transforming, healing presence within the communities we serve.
Our Professional Chaplains ... Support patients and their families spiritually as they cope with illness and hospitalization. Represent the ‘presence of the sacred’ to the hospital and local community. Calm situations of chaos and crisis. Guide and support patients and families as they face difficult health care decisions. Minister to those in crisis, especially those facing death.
Ask for a Chaplain When ... You need pastoral support and comfort. You are facing surgery or a complicated medical procedure. You have a long-term or life-threatening illness. Your way of life must change following an illness. You or your family have major health care decisions to make. When personal, cultural or faith tradition systems need to be integrated into end-of-life decisions. You need support in saying ‘goodbye’ to a loved one. You have lost a loved one. We have done our best to obtain permission and trace sources for prayers in this booklet, some of which have been passed down over centuries. To the best of our knowledge, all prayers without specific copyright acknowledgement reside in the public domain. We apologize for any copyright protocol we may have overlooked.
Notes
Index
Prayer on Entering the Hospital Prayer While Waiting Prayer for Healing For Courage Healing Reflection Prayer to the Great Physician for Relief Prayer of Thanks Prayer to the Invisible but Ever Present God For Coping When in Pain Before Surgery Morning Prayer The Lord’s Prayer Evening Prayer St. Augustine’s Evening Prayer Prayer of Thanksgiving for All God’s Benefits A Patient’s Prayer A Prayer of St. Francis Psalm 23 Psalm 100 Prayer That Everything May Lead Us to God Hail Mary Memorare Prayer to the Mother of Mercy Hindu Prayer Mi Sheberakh: May the One Who Blessed ... Jewish Healing Prayer Surah Al-Fatiha Du’a for the Sick Traditional Buddhist Blessing and Healing Chant Native American Prayer What a Friend We Have in Jesus Prayer Before Going Home
1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 12 13 14 14 15 15 16 17 18 18 19 20 21 21
What a Friend We Have in Jesus What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!
Prayer Before Going Home Lord, as I am about to leave for home, I offer my thanks for all who have cared for me, and made my stay more pleasant. I thank you for the healing that I have experienced, and I offer heartfelt thanks to You, O God, for your unwavering presence. As I am about to go home, grant me the wisdom and strength to choose what is best for me in the days ahead, so that my healing will continue. Amen.
21
Native American Prayer
Prayer on Entering the Hospital
O Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds and whose
Lord, I ask you to take my hand in yours.
breath gives life to all the world, hear me!
Walk with me to healing through my illness.
I am small and weak. I need Your strength and wisdom.
Calm my heart and take away my fears.
Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold the sunset.
Impart Your strength that I, with clear vision,
Make my hands respect the things You have made
will experience your presence with me,
and my ears sharp to hear Your voice.
may I trust in You and Your unfailing love. Amen.
Make me wise so that I understand the things You have taught my people. Let me learn the lessons You have hidden in every rock and leaf. I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy—myself. Make me always ready to come to You with clean hands and straight eyes. So when life fades, as the fading sunset, my spirit may come to You without shame.
Prayer While Waiting Gracious God, so much is strange and different that sometimes I do not understand what it is all about; then I become anxious and afraid. Please take away my anxieties, my doubts and my fears. Enable me to trust You, Lord, that I may relax into Your love, grow calm and peaceful even in the face of difficulties. Lord, You are my constant source of hope and strength. Amen.
20
1
Prayer for Healing Most merciful God, look upon me with the eyes of Your compassion. Let Your healing hand rest upon me. Let Your life-giving power flow throughout my body and into the very depths of my being. Cleanse, purify and restore me to wholeness. Strengthen me so that I might continue to love and serve You, Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful, for I have taken refuge in You; in the shadow of Your wings will I take refuge until this time of trouble has gone by. Amen.
Traditional Buddhist Blessing and Healing Chant Just as the soft rains fill the streams, pour into the rivers and join together in the oceans, so may the power of every moment of Your goodness flow forth to awaken and heal all beings, those here now, those gone before, those yet to come. By the power of every moment of Your goodness may Your heart’s wishes be soon fulfilled as completely shining as the bright full moon, as magically as by a wish-fulfilling gem. By the power of every moment of Your goodness may all dangers be averted and all disease be gone. May no obstacle come across Your way. May You enjoy fulfillment and long life. For all in whose heart dwells respect, who follow the wisdom and compassion, of the way, may Your life prosper in the four blessings of old age,
For Courage
beauty, happiness and strength.
Almighty God, teach me, I humbly ask You, the secret of casting fear out of my mind. With deep regret, I confess to You, that I am often afraid. Life’s challenges overwhelm me. Some days are too much for me to bear with my tiny store of courage and strength. I need help. Remind me that You are always there for me. May I hear over and over deep within my soul, Your voice and Your words: “Be not afraid.” In hearing, may I trust You, and in trusting may I find strength and courage in Your love. Amen.
2
19
Surah Al-Fatiha
Healing Reflection
Praise be to Allah, the cherisher and sustainer of the worlds,
Cleanse the thoughts of your mind and heart
most gracious, most merciful, master of the day of judgment,
and invite the peace of God’s spirit to dwell in you.
Thee do we worship and Thine aid we seek.
Take a deep breath and inhale God’s peace;
Show us the straight way;
exhale all that has burdened your heart and mind.
the way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy grace,
Slow and deepen your breathing
those whose (portion) is not wrath
and take in God’s peace with every breath.
and who go not astray.
Surround yourself in His divine healing presence and rest in His love for a few peaceful moments.
Du’a for the Sick
Prayer to the Great Physician for Relief O most blessed and gracious God, who alone can heal a wounded spirit and quiet a troubled mind: to You do I cry for help. O great physician of body and soul, uphold and comfort my weak and dejected spirit. Since You alone can relieve me, to You do I call for relief. O hear my most earnest supplication, and make me possess an easy, quiet and cheerful spirit, for my trust is in You. –John Wesley (1703-1791) Evangelist and Founder of Methodism
18
3
Prayer of Thanks
Jewish Healing Prayer
God, You know how relieved and grateful I am
God, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to You.
for the good news I have received!
Do not hide from me in the day of my distress.
Naturally, I was apprehensive—hoping for the best,
Turn to me and speedily answer my prayer.
but often worrying and imagining the worst.
Eternal God, source of healing,
Thank You for being with me and enabling me
out of my distress I call upon You.
to handle the tension and anxiety that were mine.
Help me sense Your presence at this difficult time.
With the question marks behind,
Grant me patience when the hours are heavy;
may I now devote my thoughts and energy
in hurt or disappointment give me courage.
to becoming healthier and stronger each day.
Keep me trustful in Your love. Give me strength for today, and hope for tomorrow. To Your loving hands I commit my spirit when asleep and when awake. You are with me; I shall not fear.
Prayer to the Invisible but Ever Present God O God, You are my hope—how can I be disappointed! You are my trust—how can I ever despair! Our eyes cannot discern You, hidden as You are in the cloak of Your glory. But our hearts perceive Your majesty, visible as it is in the perfection of Your splendor. You are ever manifest—how can You be hidden! You are ever present and constantly watch over—how can You be absent!
4
17
Mi Sheberakh: May the One Who Blessed ...
For Coping
May the One who blessed our ancestors—
God You know my feelings.
patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
You know that I want to feel better;
matriarchs Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah—
I want to have my health back again.
bless and heal the one who is ill:
The hours of testing, the days of diagnosing,
____________ son/daughter of ____________.
and the fear of the unknown concerning my future
May the Holy Blessed One
seem nearly more than I can take!
overflow with compassion upon him/her,
Grant me, O gracious God, the strength
to restore him/her,
to face each hour of this day and every day.
to heal him/her,
And, Lord, when it seems that I cannot face even this hour,
to strengthen him/her,
fill me with sufficient strength to face the next few minutes.
to enliven him/her
Stay with me, I pray. Amen.
the One who will send him/her, speedily, a complete healing— healing of the soul and healing of the body— along with all the ill among the people of Israel and all human kind, soon, speedily, without delay, and let us all say: Amen!
When in Pain Eternal and loving God, hear me, when in the midst of pain, my heart cries out to You for ease. Give me thoughts of You and Your love. Strengthen me, comfort me. Enable me to hold on with courage, until I find relief. Let me never lose sight of Your unfailing love for me. Amen.
16
5
Before Surgery
Prayer to the Mother of Mercy
Dear Lord, the source of all healing,
Mary, Mother of Mercy intercede for us.
I surrender myself into Your creative, healing hands,
Ask the Father in Jesus’ name
knowing with certainty that nothing
to grant health to the sick, strength to the weak,
can ever separate me from Your eternal love.
comfort to the sorrowing, grace to all souls,
I give heartfelt thanks to You
love to all hearts, peace to all families, justice to all nations,
for Your goodness and loving kindness to me,
and heaven to each of us as life’s final goal. Amen.
for those whom I love and who care for me, and for all that I possess and enjoy. Increase my confidence in Your love for me, that I may rejoice gratefully in Your forgiving acceptance of me and pledge the renewal of my commitment to You and to those around me, even as I now ask for renewal of my ailing body. Guide now, I pray, the minds, hearts and hands of the physicians, surgeons and staff who minister to me, that the blessing of health, of body, mind and soul may be restored to me. Amen.
Hindu Prayer Lead me from the unreal to the real. From darkness lead me to light From death lead me to immortality. O thou shining one, thou knowest all our ways, we utter praise of thee! Thou art woman, thou art man; thou art youth, thou art maiden ... thou art the dark blue bee, thou art the green parrot with red eyes, thou art the thunder cloud, the seasons, the seas. Thou art father. Thou art mother. Thou art beloved friend.
6
15
Hail Mary
Morning Prayer
Hail Mary,
Oh my God, I thank You for having brought me safely through the night
full of grace,
to the beginning of another day.
the Lord is with thee.
Help me to spend it in such a way as to be pleasing to You.
Blessed art thou among women,
I offer You this day all my thoughts, words and deeds,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
and especially my sufferings and inconveniences
Holy Mary, mother of God,
in reparation for my sins and for the salvation of all humankind.
pray for us sinners now,
Oh my God, I believe in You, I hope in You,
and at the hour of death. Amen.
I love You above all other things, and I am sorry for ever having offended You.
Memorare Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to you, O virgin of virgins, my Mother; to you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
14
The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
7
Evening Prayer
Prayer That Everything May Lead Us to God
Before I go to sleep, O Lord, I want to say this prayer;
O Lord, by all Your dealings with us,
that You will always keep me, in Your kind and loving care.
whether of joy or pain, of light or darkness
That You will let my body rest, and let my mind relax,
let us be brought to You.
and fill my dreams with holy thoughts, instead of worldly facts.
Let us value no treatment of Your grace
I ask that You forgive me, for my failures of today.
simply because it makes us happy
And give me all the grace I need, to live a better way.
or because it makes us sad,
Watch over me tonight, O Lord, and in my heart instill
or because it gives us or denies us what we want.
the fervor and the constancy, to do Your holy will.
But may all that You send us
I want to follow You and grow more worthy in Your sight.
bring us to You, that knowing Your loving kindness
O Lord, please listen to my prayer and hear me say goodnight.
we may be sure in every disappointment
–James J. Metcalfe (1906 -1960)
that You are still loving us, and in every darkness that You are still enlightening us, and in every infirmity that You are still using us. Yes, even in death, that You are giving us life.
St. Augustine’s Evening Prayer Watch, dear Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give Your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend Your sick ones, O Lord Jesus Christ. Rest Your weary ones. Bless Your dying ones. Soothe Your suffering ones. Pity Your afflicted ones. Shield Your joyous ones. And all for Your love’s sake. Amen.
8
13
Psalm 23
Prayer of Thanksgiving for All God’s Benefits
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
O Lord our God,
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
We give You praise and honor for all Your kind mercies
He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul:
that You have bestowed on us through another week.
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
We offer You continual gratitude
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
for creating us after Your own likeness …
I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
for Your help and care in our needs,
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
for Your protection in countless dangers of body and soul,
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
for Your consolation in our sorrows,
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
for sparing us life, and for giving us time to repent.
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
O most merciful Father, we thank You for all the benefits which we have received from Your goodness alone. And we beg You to grant us always Your Holy Spirit that we may grow in grace, in unshakable faith, and in perseverance in all good works. –John Knox (1505-1572) Minister and Reformer
Psalm 100 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all ye lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God. It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.
12
9
A Patient’s Prayer
A Prayer of St. Francis
Eternal God, source of my healing, out of my distress I call upon You.
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Help me to sense Your presence at this difficult time.
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
You have already sent me gifts of Your goodness:
where there is injury, pardon;
the skill of my physician, the concern of others who help me,
where there is doubt, faith;
the compassion of those I love.
where there is despair, hope;
I pray that I may be worthy of all these, today and in the days to come.
where there is darkness, light;
Help me to banish all bitterness, let not despair overcome me.
and where there is sadness, joy.
Grant me patience when the hours are heavy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
Give me courage whenever there is hurt or disappointment.
to be consoled as to console;
Keep me trustful in Your love, O God.
to be understood as to understand;
Give me strength for today, and hope for tomorrow.
to be loved as to love;
To Your loving hands I commit my spirit—when asleep and awake.
for it is in giving that we receive;
You are with me; I shall not fear.
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
Help me, O God, in my time of need.
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
10
11
A Patient’s Prayer
A Prayer of St. Francis
Eternal God, source of my healing, out of my distress I call upon You.
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Help me to sense Your presence at this difficult time.
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
You have already sent me gifts of Your goodness:
where there is injury, pardon;
the skill of my physician, the concern of others who help me,
where there is doubt, faith;
the compassion of those I love.
where there is despair, hope;
I pray that I may be worthy of all these, today and in the days to come.
where there is darkness, light;
Help me to banish all bitterness, let not despair overcome me.
and where there is sadness, joy.
Grant me patience when the hours are heavy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
Give me courage whenever there is hurt or disappointment.
to be consoled as to console;
Keep me trustful in Your love, O God.
to be understood as to understand;
Give me strength for today, and hope for tomorrow.
to be loved as to love;
To Your loving hands I commit my spirit—when asleep and awake.
for it is in giving that we receive;
You are with me; I shall not fear.
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
Help me, O God, in my time of need.
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
10
11
Psalm 23
Prayer of Thanksgiving for All God’s Benefits
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
O Lord our God,
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
We give You praise and honor for all Your kind mercies
He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul:
that You have bestowed on us through another week.
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
We offer You continual gratitude
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
for creating us after Your own likeness …
I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
for Your help and care in our needs,
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
for Your protection in countless dangers of body and soul,
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
for Your consolation in our sorrows,
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
for sparing us life, and for giving us time to repent.
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
O most merciful Father, we thank You for all the benefits which we have received from Your goodness alone. And we beg You to grant us always Your Holy Spirit that we may grow in grace, in unshakable faith, and in perseverance in all good works. –John Knox (1505-1572) Minister and Reformer
Psalm 100 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all ye lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God. It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.
12
9
Evening Prayer
Prayer That Everything May Lead Us to God
Before I go to sleep, O Lord, I want to say this prayer;
O Lord, by all Your dealings with us,
that You will always keep me, in Your kind and loving care.
whether of joy or pain, of light or darkness
That You will let my body rest, and let my mind relax,
let us be brought to You.
and fill my dreams with holy thoughts, instead of worldly facts.
Let us value no treatment of Your grace
I ask that You forgive me, for my failures of today.
simply because it makes us happy
And give me all the grace I need, to live a better way.
or because it makes us sad,
Watch over me tonight, O Lord, and in my heart instill
or because it gives us or denies us what we want.
the fervor and the constancy, to do Your holy will.
But may all that You send us
I want to follow You and grow more worthy in Your sight.
bring us to You, that knowing Your loving kindness
O Lord, please listen to my prayer and hear me say goodnight.
we may be sure in every disappointment
–James J. Metcalfe (1906 -1960)
that You are still loving us, and in every darkness that You are still enlightening us, and in every infirmity that You are still using us. Yes, even in death, that You are giving us life.
St. Augustine’s Evening Prayer Watch, dear Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give Your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend Your sick ones, O Lord Jesus Christ. Rest Your weary ones. Bless Your dying ones. Soothe Your suffering ones. Pity Your afflicted ones. Shield Your joyous ones. And all for Your love’s sake. Amen.
8
13
Hail Mary
Morning Prayer
Hail Mary,
Oh my God, I thank You for having brought me safely through the night
full of grace,
to the beginning of another day.
the Lord is with thee.
Help me to spend it in such a way as to be pleasing to You.
Blessed art thou among women,
I offer You this day all my thoughts, words and deeds,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
and especially my sufferings and inconveniences
Holy Mary, mother of God,
in reparation for my sins and for the salvation of all humankind.
pray for us sinners now,
Oh my God, I believe in You, I hope in You,
and at the hour of death. Amen.
I love You above all other things, and I am sorry for ever having offended You.
Memorare Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to you, O virgin of virgins, my Mother; to you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
14
The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
7
Before Surgery
Prayer to the Mother of Mercy
Dear Lord, the source of all healing,
Mary, Mother of Mercy intercede for us.
I surrender myself into Your creative, healing hands,
Ask the Father in Jesus’ name
knowing with certainty that nothing
to grant health to the sick, strength to the weak,
can ever separate me from Your eternal love.
comfort to the sorrowing, grace to all souls,
I give heartfelt thanks to You
love to all hearts, peace to all families, justice to all nations,
for Your goodness and loving kindness to me,
and heaven to each of us as life’s final goal. Amen.
for those whom I love and who care for me, and for all that I possess and enjoy. Increase my confidence in Your love for me, that I may rejoice gratefully in Your forgiving acceptance of me and pledge the renewal of my commitment to You and to those around me, even as I now ask for renewal of my ailing body. Guide now, I pray, the minds, hearts and hands of the physicians, surgeons and staff who minister to me, that the blessing of health, of body, mind and soul may be restored to me. Amen.
Hindu Prayer Lead me from the unreal to the real. From darkness lead me to light From death lead me to immortality. O thou shining one, thou knowest all our ways, we utter praise of thee! Thou art woman, thou art man; thou art youth, thou art maiden ... thou art the dark blue bee, thou art the green parrot with red eyes, thou art the thunder cloud, the seasons, the seas. Thou art father. Thou art mother. Thou art beloved friend.
6
15
Mi Sheberakh: May the One Who Blessed ...
For Coping
May the One who blessed our ancestors—
God You know my feelings.
patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
You know that I want to feel better;
matriarchs Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah—
I want to have my health back again.
bless and heal the one who is ill:
The hours of testing, the days of diagnosing,
____________ son/daughter of ____________.
and the fear of the unknown concerning my future
May the Holy Blessed One
seem nearly more than I can take!
overflow with compassion upon him/her,
Grant me, O gracious God, the strength
to restore him/her,
to face each hour of this day and every day.
to heal him/her,
And, Lord, when it seems that I cannot face even this hour,
to strengthen him/her,
fill me with sufficient strength to face the next few minutes.
to enliven him/her
Stay with me, I pray. Amen.
the One who will send him/her, speedily, a complete healing— healing of the soul and healing of the body— along with all the ill among the people of Israel and all human kind, soon, speedily, without delay, and let us all say: Amen!
When in Pain Eternal and loving God, hear me, when in the midst of pain, my heart cries out to You for ease. Give me thoughts of You and Your love. Strengthen me, comfort me. Enable me to hold on with courage, until I find relief. Let me never lose sight of Your unfailing love for me. Amen.
16
5
Prayer of Thanks
Jewish Healing Prayer
God, You know how relieved and grateful I am
God, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to You.
for the good news I have received!
Do not hide from me in the day of my distress.
Naturally, I was apprehensive—hoping for the best,
Turn to me and speedily answer my prayer.
but often worrying and imagining the worst.
Eternal God, source of healing,
Thank You for being with me and enabling me
out of my distress I call upon You.
to handle the tension and anxiety that were mine.
Help me sense Your presence at this difficult time.
With the question marks behind,
Grant me patience when the hours are heavy;
may I now devote my thoughts and energy
in hurt or disappointment give me courage.
to becoming healthier and stronger each day.
Keep me trustful in Your love. Give me strength for today, and hope for tomorrow. To Your loving hands I commit my spirit when asleep and when awake. You are with me; I shall not fear.
Prayer to the Invisible but Ever Present God O God, You are my hope—how can I be disappointed! You are my trust—how can I ever despair! Our eyes cannot discern You, hidden as You are in the cloak of Your glory. But our hearts perceive Your majesty, visible as it is in the perfection of Your splendor. You are ever manifest—how can You be hidden! You are ever present and constantly watch over—how can You be absent!
4
17
Surah Al-Fatiha
Healing Reflection
Praise be to Allah, the cherisher and sustainer of the worlds,
Cleanse the thoughts of your mind and heart
most gracious, most merciful, master of the day of judgment,
and invite the peace of God’s spirit to dwell in you.
Thee do we worship and Thine aid we seek.
Take a deep breath and inhale God’s peace;
Show us the straight way;
exhale all that has burdened your heart and mind.
the way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy grace,
Slow and deepen your breathing
those whose (portion) is not wrath
and take in God’s peace with every breath.
and who go not astray.
Surround yourself in His divine healing presence and rest in His love for a few peaceful moments.
Du’a for the Sick
Prayer to the Great Physician for Relief O most blessed and gracious God, who alone can heal a wounded spirit and quiet a troubled mind: to You do I cry for help. O great physician of body and soul, uphold and comfort my weak and dejected spirit. Since You alone can relieve me, to You do I call for relief. O hear my most earnest supplication, and make me possess an easy, quiet and cheerful spirit, for my trust is in You. –John Wesley (1703-1791) Evangelist and Founder of Methodism
18
3
Prayer for Healing Most merciful God, look upon me with the eyes of Your compassion. Let Your healing hand rest upon me. Let Your life-giving power flow throughout my body and into the very depths of my being. Cleanse, purify and restore me to wholeness. Strengthen me so that I might continue to love and serve You, Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful, for I have taken refuge in You; in the shadow of Your wings will I take refuge until this time of trouble has gone by. Amen.
Traditional Buddhist Blessing and Healing Chant Just as the soft rains fill the streams, pour into the rivers and join together in the oceans, so may the power of every moment of Your goodness flow forth to awaken and heal all beings, those here now, those gone before, those yet to come. By the power of every moment of Your goodness may Your heart’s wishes be soon fulfilled as completely shining as the bright full moon, as magically as by a wish-fulfilling gem. By the power of every moment of Your goodness may all dangers be averted and all disease be gone. May no obstacle come across Your way. May You enjoy fulfillment and long life. For all in whose heart dwells respect, who follow the wisdom and compassion, of the way, may Your life prosper in the four blessings of old age,
For Courage
beauty, happiness and strength.
Almighty God, teach me, I humbly ask You, the secret of casting fear out of my mind. With deep regret, I confess to You, that I am often afraid. Life’s challenges overwhelm me. Some days are too much for me to bear with my tiny store of courage and strength. I need help. Remind me that You are always there for me. May I hear over and over deep within my soul, Your voice and Your words: “Be not afraid.” In hearing, may I trust You, and in trusting may I find strength and courage in Your love. Amen.
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Native American Prayer
Prayer on Entering the Hospital
O Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds and whose
Lord, I ask you to take my hand in yours.
breath gives life to all the world, hear me!
Walk with me to healing through my illness.
I am small and weak. I need Your strength and wisdom.
Calm my heart and take away my fears.
Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold the sunset.
Impart Your strength that I, with clear vision,
Make my hands respect the things You have made
will experience your presence with me,
and my ears sharp to hear Your voice.
may I trust in You and Your unfailing love. Amen.
Make me wise so that I understand the things You have taught my people. Let me learn the lessons You have hidden in every rock and leaf. I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy—myself. Make me always ready to come to You with clean hands and straight eyes. So when life fades, as the fading sunset, my spirit may come to You without shame.
Prayer While Waiting Gracious God, so much is strange and different that sometimes I do not understand what it is all about; then I become anxious and afraid. Please take away my anxieties, my doubts and my fears. Enable me to trust You, Lord, that I may relax into Your love, grow calm and peaceful even in the face of difficulties. Lord, You are my constant source of hope and strength. Amen.
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What a Friend We Have in Jesus What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!
Prayer Before Going Home Lord, as I am about to leave for home, I offer my thanks for all who have cared for me, and made my stay more pleasant. I thank you for the healing that I have experienced, and I offer heartfelt thanks to You, O God, for your unwavering presence. As I am about to go home, grant me the wisdom and strength to choose what is best for me in the days ahead, so that my healing will continue. Amen.
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Notes
Index
Prayer on Entering the Hospital Prayer While Waiting Prayer for Healing For Courage Healing Reflection Prayer to the Great Physician for Relief Prayer of Thanks Prayer to the Invisible but Ever Present God For Coping When in Pain Before Surgery Morning Prayer The Lord’s Prayer Evening Prayer St. Augustine’s Evening Prayer Prayer of Thanksgiving for All God’s Benefits A Patient’s Prayer A Prayer of St. Francis Psalm 23 Psalm 100 Prayer That Everything May Lead Us to God Hail Mary Memorare Prayer to the Mother of Mercy Hindu Prayer Mi Sheberakh: May the One Who Blessed ... Jewish Healing Prayer Surah Al-Fatiha Du’a for the Sick Traditional Buddhist Blessing and Healing Chant Native American Prayer What a Friend We Have in Jesus Prayer Before Going Home
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Catholic Health East (CHE) is a multi-institutional Catholic health system, co-sponsored by nine religious congregations and Hope Ministries, a Public Juridic Person. Based in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, CHE’s health ministries are located in 11 eastern states from Maine to Florida. The System includes 34 acute care hospitals, four long-term acute care hospitals, 25 freestanding and hospital-based long-term care facilities, 14 assisted living facilities, four continuing care retirement communities, eight behavioral health and rehabilitation facilities, 37 home health/hospice agencies, and numerous ambulatory and community-based health agencies.
Our Mission Catholic Health East is a community of persons committed to being a transforming, healing presence within the communities we serve.
Our Professional Chaplains ... Support patients and their families spiritually as they cope with illness and hospitalization. Represent the ‘presence of the sacred’ to the hospital and local community. Calm situations of chaos and crisis. Guide and support patients and families as they face difficult health care decisions. Minister to those in crisis, especially those facing death.
Ask for a Chaplain When ... You need pastoral support and comfort. You are facing surgery or a complicated medical procedure. You have a long-term or life-threatening illness. Your way of life must change following an illness. You or your family have major health care decisions to make. When personal, cultural or faith tradition systems need to be integrated into end-of-life decisions. You need support in saying ‘goodbye’ to a loved one. You have lost a loved one. We have done our best to obtain permission and trace sources for prayers in this booklet, some of which have been passed down over centuries. To the best of our knowledge, all prayers without specific copyright acknowledgement reside in the public domain. We apologize for any copyright protocol we may have overlooked.