8 Effective Short Prayers for the Sick and Dying

Find a heartfelt and uplifting short prayer for the sick, designed to offer strength, hope, and healing during desperate times.

When it comes to sickness or injury, only prayer can give us solace and hope that this life challenge will be over soon.

Finding the right words to say in our prayer can be overwhelming in times of need, as the strong emotions from our desperate situation may keep us from thinking rationally. 

How Effective is a Short Prayer for the Sick and Dying?

The short prayer for the sick has many outcomes besides healing the body from an illness or injury.

While many of us hope for immediate healing after reciting the prayer, its impact goes beyond physical healing.

For one, it gives us emotional and spiritual reassurance that God listens, providing peace and comfort even in uncertain times.

Sometimes, the answer to our prayers is not immediate healing but renewed hope, courage, and determination to get through the challenges that come with an illness.

One example would be getting through the feeling of hopelessness that stops us from pursuing medical treatments. 

These prayers remind us of the strength within ourselves and the love that surrounds us, serving as a source of emotional and spiritual healing for both the sick person and the ones who are taking care of them.

What Should You Include in the Short Prayer for the Sick?

When we make a short prayer for the sick, we consider other elements apart from requesting healing.

For starters, we must also express our faith in God and show gratitude for every blessing He has bestowed upon us. 

There’s no strict format for a short prayer for the sick.

It can include a heartfelt message to God, a request for healing, and trust in His plan.

Praise and Adoration to Jesus Christ for Healing the Sick

As we always do and say in every other prayer, we should begin the short prayer for the sick with praise and worship to our God.

We acknowledge His power over us as our true creator and the only one who holds dominion over Heaven and Earth.

This way, we express our faith in God as the one who can take away our illness, no matter how serious it can be.

Express Intention for the Healing and Recovery of a Sick Person

In our short prayer to heal a sick loved one, we express how important it is for us to see them get well.

Let God know about your intention for saying this prayer to Him, that you do not want the illness that keeps a loved one from doing the usual things that they enjoy doing, and request God to take this illness away.

Give Thanks to the Lord for Good Health and Protection from Sickness

When you say a short prayer for a sick person, you can use this as an opportunity to give thanks to our God for healing us and our family from the illnesses that once struck our home.

We should also thank our Lord for keeping us protected from serious diseases.  

What Does the Bible Say About Reciting a Short Prayer for the Sick?

Isaiah 53:5

“But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.

He was beaten so we could be whole.

He was whipped so we could be healed.”

Jeremiah 17:14

“Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed.

Save me, and I will be saved.

For You are my praise.”

Exodus 15:26

“He said, ‘Listen well to the voice of the Lord your God.

Do what is right in His eyes.

Listen to what He tells you, and obey all His Laws.

If you do this, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians.

For I am the Lord Who heals you.’”

Matthew 10:8

“Heal the sick and those with bad skin diseases.

Raise the dead.

Put out demons.

You have received much, now give much.”

Psalm 147:3

“He heals those who have a broken heart.

He heals their sorrows.”

Isaiah 41:10

“Do not fear, for I am with you.

Do not be afraid, for I am your God.

I will give you strength, and for sure, I will help you.

Yes, I will hold you up with My right hand that is right and good.”

Jeremiah 30:17

“‘For I will heal you.

I will heal you where you have been hurt,’ says the Lord, ‘because they have said that you are not wanted.’

They have said, ‘It is Zion.

No one cares for her.’”

Luke 8:50

“Jesus heard it and said to Jairus, ‘Do not be afraid, only believe.

She will be made well.’”

Effective Short Prayers for the Sick and Injured

Short Prayer for Sick Family and Friends

“Heavenly Father, I pray that you provide strength and comfort to my family and friends who are currently suffering from an illness.

I pray that you strengthen them, body, mind, and soul, as they battle whatever sickness or injury is keeping them from doing their regular daily activities.

God, help them maintain their courage and faith.

We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord.

Amen.”

Short Healing Prayer for a Sick Person

“Dear God, I offer this prayer for <name of sick person> that he/she may regain their health and strength in no time.

Bring him/her comfort and hope that the illness will soon go away.

Strengthen his/her body and mind so that he/she can fight the disease completely.

Amen.”

Short Healing Prayer for the Sick and Dying Relative

“Dear Father in Heaven, I come to you in this desperate time for the sake of my sick relative who is now on the verge of death.

Lord, even if all hope seems lost at this point, I still believe that You are far more powerful than any diseases in this world and that You can give them strength to carry on with their lives.

I pray that you give them the courage and strength to face this battle and that they will never feel alone.

I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son.

Amen.”

Short Prayer for the Cure of Disease

“Dear Lord, I ask for your guidance and support in this time of need as one of our family members is battling a serious disease in silence.

I pray that their body will be healed from this disease soon so that they may return home and be with their family in full health.

Give them strength and comfort as they struggle to battle this illness.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Short Prayer for Healing and Recovery of a Sick Friend

“Dear God, I come to You for the complete healing and recovery of my sick friend, who has been suffering not only physically but also mentally and spiritually.

Don’t let this sickness drain them of their happiness and hope.

Instead, give them strength and courage to fight, together with their family and friends who are all wishing for their well-being.

I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.”

Short Prayer for the Health of Mind and Body

“Heavenly Father, I pray for the wellness of the mind and body of my family and friends.

Protect us from all the diseases that may keep us from enjoying our lives with our loved ones.

Let our bodies be healed from the viruses, bacteria, and all other foreign materials that may cause issues to our health.

Give us strength, physically and spiritually, so that we may continue to serve You. Amen.”

Short Prayer for a Sick Child

“Dear God in Heaven, I implore you to heal a sick child that is dear to me.

At their young age, their body is still fragile to survive the disease that they are currently battling.

With Your healing hands, o Lord, I pray that You heal their weak body and restore their health so that they may be able to smile once again and bring joy to their parents, who are also deeply worried by their child’s current condition.

I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.”

Short Prayer for the Health of My Ailing Son and Daughter

“Lord God, I pray to You in this time of desperation to heal my ailing son and daughter.

They are still too young to face this battle, but they are bravely getting through their situation with all their strength.

Please heal them, o Lord, as my heart bleeds to see my child suffer from this illness.

I want to see them smile once again and be healthy enough to enjoy their life. Amen.”

When Should We Pray the Short Prayer for the Sick?

We are always welcome to pray to our Lord and say a short prayer as soon as we know that a close friend or loved one fell sick or got an injury.

We may also choose to recite this prayer at any given time, even if none of our immediate family or circle of friends is suffering from an illness.

These prayers are a way to extend compassion and healing energy to anyone in need, even if they are strangers.

Praying for others, even if we do not know them personally, gives us a role as a sharer of love and compassion.

Whether your prayer intends to heal a sick friend, a distant relative, or other people who are silently battling a disease, God will hear your prayer.

Other Prayers You Can Offer to a Sick Person

An illness does not only affect a person’s physical body but also other aspects of their life and the lives of the people caring about them.

Aside from a short prayer for the sick, we can also offer a prayer for financial help since fighting an illness comes with a series of medications that cost a hefty amount of money.

For those people who are growing weak mentally and spiritually due to sickness, we can recite a short prayer for inner strength so that they can choose to go on with life and stay strong for their loved ones.

Another prayer you may offer is a prayer for clarity of mind, as a sick person may feel distraught from all the physical pain from their illness.

Pray to our Lord that the sick may have a clear mind and spirit to continue with their healing journey and that their illness will not cause emotional pain and misunderstanding among their family.

Conclusion

We build our faith in God as the great healer by saying a short prayer for the sick.

No sickness or injury is bigger than God, and it is Him and Him alone who can cure us from our pain and suffering, whether they are physical, emotional, or spiritual pain. 

The prayer for the sick also serves as a beacon of light in times of darkness when it feels like there is no more hope to heal a sick loved one.

By reciting this prayer, we also inspire each other to do the same and draw strength from each other when sickness is starting to drain us of our energy and courage.