One of the most common prayer requests is for healing for a loved one who is battling sickness, has been injured, or is recovering from surgery. One of my most vivid firsthand experiences of the power of prayer happened years ago when my son became very sick as an infant.

My baby boy had been born healthy and thriving, but at just five months old, he contracted pneumonia. Though not a severe case, it required hospitalization for almost two weeks and led to recurrent lung infections with many visits to the emergency room. As we searched for treatments, other seemingly unrelated health issues developed, impacting his body and development. My son wasn't facing any immediate life-threatening conditions, but he was stuck in a strange cycle of chronic illness. For a distressingly long time during his first three years of life, we didn't go more than five days between doctor appointments, therapy interventions, tests, or treatments.

The prayers of others carried us through

When I reflect on the challenging beginning my son had faced, I remember how the prayers of others carried us through. Those prayers brought great comfort when I was too overwhelmed and worried to even know what to say. Thankfully, my son has since overcome those health obstacles and is thriving. He recently graduated from high school and is excited for college on the horizon. I firmly believe that the prayers of those who supported us played a crucial role in God giving us the hope and stamina we needed to get through those challenging years. I praise God for the people who prayed for us in that long season of darkness and uncertainty.

Prayers enable patient faith and comfort

When we pray for people who are sick or in recovery, we offer a powerful gift of grace. Sometimes we might feel frustrated because we prayed for healing that didn’t come. We may even feel that somehow we prayed the wrong way. (If you want to read more about unanswered prayer, click here.) Rather than demanding immediate answers or solutions, God calls us to have patient faith. As Mary Kate Morse writes in Guidebook to Prayer: “We do not see the scope of the universe or the outcome of time. Only God is sovereign and watches over all throughout time, and only God is trustworthy for eternity. Therefore we pray in faith that God will be God” (p. 196). We pray in faith and hope, knowing that God hears and answers. When we pray for the sick or for someone in a desperate situation, we surrender circumstances that are beyond our control to God’s goodness and care. We don’t actually need to have the answers or a promise of complete healing; instead, we can trust God that our offered prayers bring powerful comfort that only the Holy Spirit can provide.

How should we pray for the sick?

So pray with confidence and know that your words bring peace and hope to weary bodies and tired minds. Sometimes, though, it’s difficult to know what to say, so I have a suggestion on how a prayer for the sick might be structured. You may use this as a template to make your own prayer:

Begin by addressing God and acknowledging that he is listening:

“Father God, we come to you at this moment of great need. We know that you are here, that you listen to our every word, that you love us, and that you are in control.”

Pray as specifically as you can for the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs:

“God, please care for ______ (name). They are in need of your healing touch. They are struggling with _____ and they need ______. Help them trust in your power and your plan.”

Sometimes the needs are unclear or incomplete. In those situations, my prayers often sound like this:

“Father God, I am unsure and unaware of the needs of this person but you know them. Please meet them in their need. Remind them that you are present with them and that you are good and powerful. Give them strength and courage to face each battle and difficulty. Surround them with people who will care for and tend to their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.”

When you’re struggling with how to pray, we can pray God’s Word. The Bible has many references that encourage us to pray to God for healing and comfort for those who are sick. Three great examples:

Psalm 103:2-3 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.

Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

James 5:13-16 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Know that the prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective. Praying for the sick is a beautiful gift of grace and mercy. May you be encouraged and have confidence to pray for those who are struggling. Your faithful prayers bring God’s light to dark moments, his hope in the face of desperation, and healing to the deep wounds.

Read more about Praying for someone else or Why isn't God Answering my Prayer?