Prayer Service for Hope and Healing

Prepared by the Winchester MA VOTF affiliate
[Note that the service uses hymns from the Gather Hymnal. Comparable versions may be available from other sources.]

Welcome

This evening we lift in prayer all those who are sick in body and mind, those who care for them, and all of us who love them. Let us begin by singing “Be Not Afraid” from the Gather Hymnal.

Hymn: “Be Not Afraid” – Gather Hymnal #596

Opening Prayer: A Meditation by Cardinal Newman

God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission.

I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for nothing: I shall be an angel of peace.

Whatever, wherever I am, I cannot be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him: if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about.

Therefore I will trust Him.

Readings

Reading 1: Psalm 91

Hymn: On Eagles’ Wings, Gather Hymnal #593

Reading 2: Gospel of St. Mark, Chapter 10, verses 44-52

Guided Meditation

“What do You Want Me to Do for You?”

Writing of Petitions

Petitions are brought forward and placed in the basket on the table.
During this time, play music from Michael Vaughan’s CD “Songs of Comfort” (or use a similar source).

Pause for a few minutes while participants share the stories of their petitions with those around them.

Prayer for the Sick

God of hope and healing,
Be with those whose bodies
burn with fever,
rage with pain,
struggle for breath,
cry out for limbs that used to be,
or crave addictive substances.

Be with those whose minds and emotions
face the wait of a diagnosis,
wrestle with the choices for treatment,
adapt to a life altered by chronic illness,
recover from abuse,
or push against the encroaching clouds of dementia.

Be with those whose spirits
are exhausted by the quest for health
doubt the existence of love
question the fairness of life
or stare into the face of death.

Cool the fever,
bring balm to the pain,
ease the fight for air,
adapt the body for new ways to move,
and calm the cravings.
Ease anxiety and fear.
Build trust in your everlasting love and care.
God of all, hear our prayer.

Response: Amen

Prayer for the Caregiver

(Those on the left side read one section; those on the right side read the next.)

God of comfort and strength,
Be with those
whose backs ache with the weight of lifting,
whose hands are raw from the constant washing,
whose eyes close frequently from lack of sleep,
and whose bodies feel broken and weary.

Be with those
whose anxiety cannot face one more “what if”
whose thoughts do not dare go beyond the next moment
whose tears have flowed until there are no more
whose patience has worn too thin
and whose minds and emotions have become fragile.

Be with those whose spirits
are exhausted by the demands of caring for the sick
doubt the existence of love
question the fairness of life
or stare into the reality of losing a loved one to death.

Soothe the body and ease the pain.
Calm the anxiety and fear.
Build trust in your everlasting presence and love.
God of all, hear our prayer.
All: Amen.

Prayer for the Healing of Survivors of Abuse

God of endless love,
Ever caring, ever strong
Always present, always just:
You gave us your only Son
To save us by the blood of His cross

Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace
Join to your own suffering
The pain of all who have been hurt
In body, mind and spirit
By those who betrayed the trust placed in them.

Hear our cries as we agonize
Over the harm done to our brothers and sisters
Breathe wisdom into our prayers,
Soothe restless hearts with hope,
Steady shaken spirits with faith
Show us the way to justice and wholeness
Enlightened by truth and enfolded in your mercy.

Response: Amen

Blessing: The Serenity Prayer – Reinhold Niebuhr

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

Invocation: from “Benedictus” by John O’Donohue

May all that is unforgiven in you be released.
May your fears yield their deepest tranquilities?
May all that is unlived in you blossom into a future
Graced with love.

Response: Amen