Adapted by Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB 2/02/2011

Ever-living and ever-loving, Lord God,
You are the everlasting salvation of those who believe.
Hear us on behalf of (name) who is sick. We ask You to have mercy on (her/him)
that, bodily health may be restored.
We thank You and praise You
through Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight,
and give Your angels charge over those who sleep.
Tend Your sick ones, loving Lord. Rest Your weary ones.
Bless Your dying ones. Soothe Your suffering ones. Pity Your afflicted ones.
Shield Your joyous ones.
Give strength and vigilant awareness for all Your care givers
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Sick

Reflection

Jesus showed his love for the sick by visiting them, by touching them, by forgiving and healing them.
Jesus encourages us to recognize him in our sick brothers and sisters(Matthew 25:31-40).
Throughout the centuries, the people of God have continued to express this love and care for those who are sick.

[The sick are remembered in the daily prayer of the Church and especially at Eucharist during the Prayer of the Faithful. The Church's ritual book, Pastoral Care of the Sick and the Dying, contains many prayers and blessings for the sick.]

A Reading from the Gospel of Mark

When the disciples got out of the boat, people at once recognized Jesus.
The people rushed about the whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard Jesus was.
Whatever villages or towns He went, they laid the sick
in the marketplaces,
and begged Jesus that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak.
All who touched it were healed.
Mark 6:54-56

Prayer for Caregivers

Blest are you, God of the Universe,
You sent your Son, Jesus, to earth.
We thank you and praise you for His presence among us even now.
May the example of Christ guide us in showing compassion for the sick, the suffering and infirm.
Help us to understand those we come to serve and reach out in love to them.
Bless our Care Givers with patience, mercy and compassion.
Inspire them with insight to minister to all people with loving kindness.
May they be Your compassionate presence
and share the peace of Your Holy Spirit with everyone they meet.
Bless and reward our generous Care Givers and their families with happy hearts now and forever. Amen.

A Prayer for the Sick Near Death

Blest are You, God of the Universe, We thank you and praise You for life. Bless (name) with patient endurance.
May mercy and compassion be with us during this time of transition.
Remember the good words and works of (name)
May the holy Angels be with (him/her)
both now and forever. Amen.

Nurturing God of love,
we pray today for those who are ill.
Some are terminally ill,
some are seriously ill, some are temporarily ill,
and some are mysteriously ill, but they all need a sense
of Your presence and an experience of Your powerful healing presence.

Send your Angel of mercy to everyone in need that pain may be eased,
that wounds may be healed, that fear may be overcome, that recovery may be swift and
complete,
that the entire experience may be one that strengthens faith, gives hope
and encourages them
to walk humbly with You, Lord God.

We ask that cures may be found
for diseases that are still a mystery. We pray that researchers may have wisdom.
Bless with insight those who toil in the laboratory.
May we all be responsible in the care that we give to one another.

We pray for Doctors who diagnose and prescribe and nurses who care.
Bless families who stand by
with comfort and support.
May the 'healing hand' of Jesus
rest gently on all of us. Amen.