A prayer for healing brings a sick person to God, says plainly what you want, and leaves the outcome in His hands. It's fine to ask for healing outright. It's also honest to say that no prayer on this page comes with a guarantee. Good people pray and still get sicker. If you've been told that more faith would have changed things, we're sorry. Scripture doesn't give anyone the right to say that to you.
For someone you love who is sick
Lord, I bring You someone I love. You know every part of what's happening in their body, and I'm frightened. Be near them. Ease their pain. Heal them, if it is Your will. And stay close to me while I wait. Amen.
For your own illness
God, I'm sick and I'm tired of being sick. I'm asking You to heal me. Whatever comes, don't let me go through it alone. Amen.
“Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.”
Jeremiah 17:14 (KJV)
Jeremiah prays this in the middle of his own distress. It's a request, made by someone who doesn't yet have an answer.
While you wait for results
Father, the waiting is its own kind of hard. I don't know what the news will be. You do. Keep me steady until the phone rings, and after. Amen.
For the people giving care
Lord, bless the doctors and nurses, and the family members who haven't slept. Give them skill, patience and rest. Amen.
When healing doesn't come
God, I asked and it hasn't happened. I don't understand, and I'm not going to pretend to. I'm still talking to You. Please stay. Amen.
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
Psalm 34:18 (KJV)
Something you can do today
Ask the person who is sick what would help, then do the small, specific thing: drive them to an appointment, bring dinner, sit in the waiting room. James is blunt that kind words without practical help don't do much. See how to love your neighbor for more, and Bible verses for hard times if you need words of your own.
Please keep following your doctor's advice. Prayer can sit alongside medical care and never needs to replace it. Fig Devotional isn't medical or mental health care.
If someone you love is sick, this is a gentle card to send when you don't know what to say. Fig Devotional is a daily devotional for iPhone: a verse, a prayer and one small action, ending in a card like this one. Its guides are illustrated characters and its reflections are written with AI.
Common questions
What is a short prayer for someone who is sick?
Try this: Lord, I bring (name) to You. Be near them. Comfort them, give wisdom to those caring for them, and heal them if it is Your will. Amen.
Is it OK to ask God for healing?
Yes. Scripture invites it. James 5:14 tells the sick to call for the elders of the church to pray, and Jeremiah 17:14 is itself a prayer for healing. Asking is not the same as being promised a particular outcome.
Why wasn't my prayer for healing answered?
Christians have wrestled with this for as long as there have been prayers. Paul's own request in 2 Corinthians 12 wasn't granted as he asked. A hard outcome doesn't mean you lacked faith or prayed wrongly. A pastor can be a good person to talk this through with.
Should I pray instead of seeing a doctor?
No. Prayer and medical care aren't in competition. Please keep following the advice of your doctor. Fig Devotional doesn't offer medical advice, and nothing here replaces care.