Hospital Prayers
Here are some prayers that might be used in connection with a stay in hospital. A paper copy of these prayers in the form of a leaflet may be found at either of our churches. If you find them useful, please feel free to copy them for your own use or the use of a friend.
Before going into Hospital
Heavenly Father, now that I know that I must go into Hospital for a few days, I pray that you will help me to be prepared in body, mind, and spirit, for what lies ahead. Help me to come to terms with whatever tests and/or treatment I must undergo. Be with me, and let your presence bring me peace; so that no matter what I must face I may do so calmly, serenely and without fear. I am grateful that you have been with me in times when I have enjoyed good health, and I am glad that you are also with me now when I need your presence. Be with the doctors and nurses and technicians who are involved in treating me, be with family and friends who are concerned for me, and be with the other patients who share my days in hospital. Hear my prayer, for your love's sake. Amen.
After Admission
Heavenly Father, help me in these new and strange surroundings to attain the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you are with me here. Help me to co-operate with the doctors and nurses who will look after me, and so to enter confidently into what is being done for my benefit. May your goodness be shared by all who are in a similar position to mine. Hear my prayer, for your love's sake. Amen.
A Morning Prayer
Loving Father, thank you for this new day and for comfort and sleep in the night that is past. Be with me today so that I do not become bored or irritable because of enforced inactivity. Help me to come to terms with these problems that beset me, to endure cheerfully any investigations or asurgery I may have to undergo, and to play my own part in what the doctors and nurses are doing for my benefit. Hear my prayer, for your love's sake.
Or, after a difficult night
Lord God, loving father, I am glad the night is over for I found it difficult. Sleep did not come easily and time passed too slowly. Now that it is morning, help me to engage with what is going on around me, so that my spirits might be lifted, my optimism renewed, and my health improved. Hear my prayer, for your love's sake.
An Evening Prayer
Gracious God, before I sleep, let me thank you for the good that has happened to me today (here you may remember events of the day). I am glad that you have been with me, that you have provided me with comfort through the skill of doctors and the kind hands of nurses, that you have provided refreshment in the food that has been prepared for me, and companionship through visitors and fellow patients.
Help me, tonight and every night, to place myself trustingly into your care, in the knowledge that where you are present there is no cause to fear. Hear my prayer, for your love's sake. Amen.
Before Returning Home
Loving Father, I am most grateful for everything that has been done for me here in hospital; for the kindness of the nurses, the skill of the doctors, and for all the others who help to run this place. I am glad that my time here has been made easier by friends who have visited, and by other patients with whom I have spent some of my time. Help me as I return home to do all I can to continue the good work begun here. Help me to be patient in recovery so that each day I might do sufficient to increase my strength but not so much that I jeopardise my health. Help me to be gracious to those who must help and attend me. Hear my prayer, for your love's sake. Amen.