Prayers · 5 min read
Prayers for a Sick Friend or Family Member
Short, heartfelt prayers for healing, strength and peace when someone you love is ill, plus verses to pray over them.
When someone you love is sick, it is easy to feel helpless. Prayer is not a last resort; it is a way of standing next to them before God. Here are prayers you can use as written or make your own.
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.”
A prayer for healing
“Lord Jesus, you healed the sick and touched the hurting. I lift up David to you. Bring healing to his body, guide the hands and minds of his doctors, and give him strength for each treatment. Calm his fears at night. Let him know he is not alone. Amen.”
A prayer before surgery or test results
“Father, tomorrow is a hard day for Mom. Go before her into that room. Give the surgeons skill and clear focus, keep her safe, and hold her heart in peace while she waits. Whatever the results, help our family trust you together. Amen.”
A prayer for a long illness
“God of all comfort, Anna has been sick for a long time and she is tired. Renew her strength day by day. Give her small joys in the middle of this, friends who show up, and rest that truly restores. When she cannot pray, let our prayers carry her. Amen.”
Verses to pray over someone who is sick
- Jeremiah 17:14 — “Heal me, O Yahweh, and I will be healed.”
- Psalm 41:3 — “Yahweh will sustain him on his sickbed.”
- Isaiah 41:10 — “Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you.”
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 — “My grace is sufficient for you.”
- Philippians 4:7 — “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.”
Practical ways to keep praying
- Pray at the same time each day, for example when you wake up.
- Ask the family what to pray for this week, then pray for exactly that.
- Send a short note after you pray. It reminds them they are carried.
- Write down answers, big or small, so you can thank God for them later.
Lift can remind you each day and write a fresh prayer for your friend’s exact situation, so your prayers stay specific as things change.
Common questions
What is a good short prayer for a sick friend?
“Lord, bring healing to my friend’s body, wisdom to the doctors, and peace to their heart tonight. Let them know they are not alone. Amen.”
What Bible verse can I pray for healing?
Jeremiah 17:14, Psalm 41:3, Isaiah 41:10 and James 5:14–15 are often prayed for healing.
Updated October 22, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible (public domain).