Powerful Prayers for Healing: Words of Comfort and Strength for Any Illness
A Word from Pastor Jason
Illness—whether it affects the body, the mind, or the spirit—has a way of pausing life. I’ve sat by hospital beds, held the hands of those in pain, and whispered words of hope when words were hard to find. This prayer is for those moments when you don’t know what to say—but you want to pray. May these words become your own, and may they carry strength, healing, and peace.
Ancient Prayers for Healing
One thing is clear from church history, Christians have always longed and prayed to God for healing. They placed their trust in God and God’s ability to change their situation. And yet, as we see, they also spoke their trust in God if healing did not occur.
Here are a few prayers for healing that are ancient and faithful.
1. Prayer of St. Basil the Great (4th Century)
“O Lord, Physician of souls and bodies,
Who through Your only-begotten Son
Bestowed healing upon the sick,
and through the Holy Spirit comforts the suffering,
Grant to Your servant [Name] healing of soul and body,
and forgive all their sins.
By Your grace, raise them up and strengthen them,
that they may give thanks to You in health and glory. Amen.”
2. Prayer from the Didache (1st Century Early Church Manual)
“May the Lord Jesus Christ himself
be present with you,
and may the power of God the Father,
and the love of the Holy Spirit,
and the grace of Jesus Christ,
and the faith of the Holy Spirit,
heal you,
and save you.”
3. Healing Prayer by St. Augustine
“Grant me, O Lord,
not to be healed as I would,
but to be healed as You will.
Not according to my desires,
but according to Your mercy.
For I trust not in my prayers,
but in Your compassion.”
4. A Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer (1662)
“Almighty God,
who hast created us in Thy image,
and redeemed us through Thy Son Jesus Christ,
grant us, we beseech Thee,
health in body, and peace of mind;
and, by Thy gracious Spirit,
sustain us in every time of trouble;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
5. Healing Prayer by Teresa of Avila (16th Century)
“Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things pass away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.”
A Prayer for Healing
Lord God, our healer, you are the one who knit us together in the womb. You know every cell, every ache, every wound—both seen and unseen. So we bring this illness before you now, asking you to bring healing to body, heart, and soul. Bring comfort to the pain, calm to the fear, rest to the weariness, and peace to the turmoil. Where doctors see limitations, you hold possibilities. Where we feel broken, you begin restoration. We lean on you now, trusting not in our own strength but in your mercy and might. Grant wisdom to caregivers, courage to the one who suffers, and hope that does not fade. And when the road is long, walk with us every step. You are the great physician; you are near; you are love. In your name, we pray—amen.
When to Use This Prayer
Praying for a friend or loved one in the hospital
Facing a chronic condition, surgery, or cancer
Dealing with anxiety, depression, or mental health struggles
Holding onto hope in long-term recovery
As part of personal or group devotionals
Bible Verses About Healing
You may want to read one or more of these verses before or after your prayer:
Isaiah 53:5: “By his wounds we are healed.”
James 5:15: “The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up.”
Psalm 147:3: “He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.”
Jeremiah 30:17: “For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, says the Lord.”
FAQ
Q: What is a good short prayer for healing?
A: “Lord, bring healing to my body, peace to my heart, and strength to my soul. I trust in You.”
Q: Can I say this healing prayer for someone else?
A: Absolutely. You can pray this over a loved one by name, out loud or in private.
Q: What Scripture supports healing prayer?
A: James 5:15 and Isaiah 53:5 are two foundational verses about God’s healing power.
