Offerings of Prayers
Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd of the sheep, you gather the lambs in your arms and carry them in your bosom: We commend to your loving care all those who suffer from any illness or disease. Relieve their pain, guard them against all danger, restore to them your gifts of gladness and strength, and raise them up to a life of service to you. Hear us, we pray, for your dear Name’s sake. Amen.
A Prayer for Doctors, Nurses, and All Dedicated to the Practices of Healing:
Sanctify, O Lord, those whom you have called to the study and practice of the arts of healing, and to the prevention of disease and pain. Strengthen them by your life-giving Spirit, that by their ministries, the health of the community may be promoted, and your creation glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for a Confident Spirit:
Almighty God, you are the great source of health and healing, the spirit of calm and the central peace of the universe. Grant to us such an awareness of your indwelling presence as may give us utter confidence in you. In all pain and weariness may we rest in your care; that knowing ourselves surrounded by your love, we may receive your health and strength and peace. Amen.
A Prayer for Guidance:
O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for Quiet Confidence:
O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray you, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Prayer Attributed to St. Francis:
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
St. Patrick’s prayer, called the Deer’s Cry:
It’s a word of prayerful encouragement…
I arise today through God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold me;
God’s wisdom to guide me;
God’s eye to see before me;
God’s ear to hear me;
God’s word to speak for me;
God’s hand to guard me;
God’s way to lie before me;
God’s shield to protect me;
God’s host to secure me.
I arise today…