Many of these prayers are reproduced here in keeping with the copyright guidelines of the publisher, the Church Pension Group, to whom and all rights are reserved.  Please feel free, however, to adapt them as needed.

In Time of Loss: God of love, surround all those I love, especially those I can no longer meet. Be light in my darkness. Be hope in my fear.
Be love in every moment. And give me grace to face each day ahead. Amen.

For Relatives of an Organ Donor: Blessed Jesus, who said “unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it shall not live,” help us to release N. to everlasting life, and N.’s body to give new life to others you also love, as you have given your body that we might have life abundant, for which we give great thanks. Amen.

For Coping with Loss and Grief: O God, I come to You filled with hurt and sadness and even anger because of my great loss. Lord, I know that You have a plan for each of our lives, but I am in such pain and grief that it is hard to focus on the truth that You do care and that You have had to face deep grief and loss too. Lord, my hurt and pain run deep and I feel that my heart is breaking. I ask you to touch my hurting heart. I know, Lord, that You are the God of comfort and that You have been with me every step of the way. I ask You to draw ever closer to me at this time for I feel that my whole world has been shattered. I find it hard when people who don’t understand try to say words that they think are comforting but sometimes it makes the hurt even worse and I feel hurt and so very, very alone. Lord, I know it is true that in time the pain will lessen but please be with me, hold me close and steady me, for I know that without You I could not face another day, another hour. Hold me Lord, I pray, and keep me moment by moment in your love.  Amen.

For Our Homeless Sisters and Brothers: Loving Creator of all, Hear our prayer for all women and men, boys and girls who are homeless this day. For those sleeping under bridges, on park benches, in doorways or bus stations. For those who can only find shelter for the night but must wander in the daytime. For families broken because they could not afford to pay the rent. For those who have no relatives or friends who can take them in. For those who have no place to keep possessions that remind them who they are. For those who are afraid and hopeless. For those who have been betrayed by our social safety net. For all these people, we pray that you will provide shelter, security and hope. We pray for those of us with warm houses and comfortable beds that we not be lulled into complacency and forgetfulness. Jesus, help us to see your face in the eyes of every homeless person we meet. Empower us to work for justice and peace through words and deeds, and through the political means we have. Give us open hearts to greet and meet the homeless people in our neighborhoods. In your name we pray.  Amen.

For Social Justice : Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we my live in justice and peace, trough Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. BCP, p. 823

For Guidance: Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and always do those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen BCP, p. 232 adapted

For Our Hungry Sisters and Brothers: Lord, you made us to know what hunger is, but also to know the goodness of your provision. We pray for those who share this earth with us, but for whom hunger is a crippling, life-threatening danger. We pray for those who have nothing and those who have too little to eat. Make us joyfully share our own riches, so that all may be fed. Amen

For the Whole Human Family: O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCP, p. 815

For Trust in God: O God, the source of all health: So fill my heart with faith in your love, that with calm expectancy I may make room for your power to possess me, and gracefully accept your healing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Give us Hope: When evil darkens our world, give us light. When despair numbs our souls, give us hope. When we stumble and fall, lift us up. When doubts assail us, give us faith. When nothing seems sure, give us trust. When ideals fade, give us vision. When we lose our way, be our guide! That we may find serenity in Your presence, and purpose in doing Your will. John D. Rayner

For Survivors of Abuse and Violence: Holy One, you do not distance yourself from the pain of your people, but in Jesus bear that pain with us and bless all who suffer at others’ hands. Hallow my flesh and all creation; with your cleansing love bring me healing and strength; and by your justice, lift me up, that in the body you have given me, I may again rejoice. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

A Prayer in Response to Gun Violence:

Let us lament with all those who are touched by gun violence

Let us lament the shooter’s choice for violence
Let us lament laws that allow violent men easy access to guns
Let us lament our politicians’ unwillingness to work for change
Let us lament with the hearts broken by loss today
Let us lament all the lives cut short today
Let us lament, O God, and then let us rise from our knees to work for change, in the name of Christ, the prince of peace. Amen. The Rev. Dr. Ellen Clark-King, Executive Pastor and Canon for Social Justice, Grace Cathedral, San Francisco

For Transgender Justice: Creator God, Spirit of life and love that resides within and among us, fill our heats with your love and justice. We hold in love and prayer all transgender people, so many of whom live under the weight of violence, fear, and intolerance. We hold in love and prayer all the ways that transgender people have survived and thrived in a hostile world, and all who recognize the significance of gender justice for all people. All this we ask in the name of Jesus, Love Incarnate. Amen.

For Protection: Christ, light of light, brightness indescribable, the Wisdom, power and glory of God, the Word made flesh: you overcame the forces of Satan, redeemed the world, then ascended again to the Father. Grant me, I pray, in this tarnished world, the shining of your splendor. Send your Archangel Michael to defend me, to guard my going out and coming in, and to bring me safely to your presence, where you reign in the one holy and undivided Trinity, to ages of ages. Amen

For When You Are in Pain: Lord Jesus Christ, by your patience in suffering you hallowed earthly pain and gave us the example of obedience to your Father’ will: Be near me in my time of weakness and pain; sustain me by your grace, that my strength and courage may not fail; heal me according to you will; and help me always to believe that what happens to me here is of little account if you hold me in eternal life, my Lord and my God. Amen.

For You When You Are Sick: God of all comfort, our very present help in trouble, be near to me. Look on me with the eyes of your mercy; comfort me with a sense of your presence; preserve me from the enemy; and give me patience in my affliction. Restore me to health, and lead me to your eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen  

For You When You Are Suffering from Mental Distress: Blessed Jesus, in the comfort of your love, I lay before you the memories that haunt me, the anxieties that perplex me, the despair that frightens me, and my frustration at my inability to think clearly. Help me to discover your forgiveness in my memories and know your peace in my distress. Touch me, O Lord, and fill me with your light and your hope. Amen.

In Confinement: My Creator, you rolled out the heavens and spread the sky like a tent: bless to me the small confinement of this room, the long days, disturbances of night, immobility of body, and unease of soul, that this place of exile may become my holy ground, and Jesus my deliverer.

For When You Can’t Sleep: Holy and Blessed One: shine on me as I lie sleepless. Illumine my spirit and give me rest in you, so that I may recognize you as the true God who brings us out of darkness into our eternal light. Amen.

For Rest: O God my refuge and strength: in this place of unrelenting light and noise, enfold me in your holy darkness and silence, that I may rest secure under the shadow of your wings. Amen.  

For Recovery from Sickness: God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of those who suffer: Hear my prayers and grant me the power of your grace, that my sickness may be turned into health, and my sorrow into joy; for Jesus Christ’ sake. Amen.  

For an Extended Course of Treatment: Strengthen me, O God, to go where I have to go and bear what I have to bear; that, accepting your healing gifts at the hands of surgeons, nurses, and technicians, I may be restored to wholeness with a thankful heart; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen   

Before an Operation: Loving God, I pray that you will comfort me in my suffering, lend skill to the hands of my healers, and bless the means used for my cure. Give me such confidence in the power of your grace, that even when I am afraid, I may put my whole trust in you; through our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Thanksgiving for Recovery: God, your loving-kindness never fails and your mercies are new every morning. I thank you for giving me relief from pain and hope of health renewed. Continue the good work begun in me; that increasing daily in wholeness and strength, I may rejoice in your goodness and so order my life always to think and do that which pleases you; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.

In Times of Personal Distress: Lord Christ, you came into the world as one of us, and suffered as we do. As I go through the trials of life, help me to realize that you are with me at all times and in all things; that I have no secrets from you; and that your loving grace enfolds me for eternity. In the security of your embrace I pray. Amen.

For When You Fear Losing Hope: O God, Le your Holy Spirit inspire me, as I fear losing hope. Give me a fresh vision of your love that I may find again what I fear I have lost. Grant me your powerful deliverance; through the One who makes all things new, Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.               

For Those Who Are Developmentally Disabled: Giver of all grace, we pray your peace, which passes all understanding, for us who are developmentally disabled. Grant that we may always be sustained in love, our gifts honored, and our difficulties understood, that none may add to our troubles. We ask this in the name of the one who comforted those who were troubled in mind, Jesus our Savior. Amen.

When You’re Suffering Loss of Memory: Holy God, you have known me from my mother’ womb, and have been with me throughout my life. Protect me and keep me safe through all the changes that may come. Since I am sealed as Christ’s own, help me to trust that who I am will never be lost to you. Amen. 

When You Face a Diagnosis of Terminal Illness: O God, only you number my days. Help me to look bravely at the end of my life in this world, while trusting in my life in the next. Journey with me toward my unexplored horizon where Jesus my Savior has gone before. Amen.  

When You Face Difficult Treatment Choices: Jesus, at Gethsemane you toiled with terrifying choices. Be with me now as I struggle with a fearful choice of treatments which promise much discomfort and offer no guarantee of long-term good. Help me know that you will bless my choice to me, and, good Savior, be my companion on the way. Amen.

In Thanksgiving: Thank you, Holy and Mighty One, for the many gifts of your love, even for the painful gift of fear which reminds me that only you are God. Into the mystery of your love I entrust myself. Dress me in the armor of your light and keep me safe; through Jesus Christ. Amen.  

For Serenity: Merciful Jesus, you are my guide, the joy of my heart, the author of my hope, and the object of my love. I come seeking refreshment and peace. Show me your mercy, relieve my fears and anxieties, and grant me a quiet mind and an expectant heart, that by the assurance of your presence I may learn to abide in you, who is my Lord and my God. Amen

A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Caregivers: Merciful God, I thank you that since I have no strength to care for myself, you serve me through the hands and hearts of others. Bless these people that they may continue to serve you and please you all their days. Amen.

A Prayer of Comfort in God: God, you are my help and comfort; you shelter and surround me in love so tender that I may know your presence with me, now and always. Amen. 

In Desolation: O God, why have you abandoned me? Though you have hidden your face from me, still from this dread and empty place, I cry to you, who have promised me that underneath are your everlasting arms. Amen.                     

After the Loss of a Pregnancy: O God, who gathered Rachel’s tears over her lost children, hear now my/our sorrow and distress at the death of my/our expected child; in the darkness of loss, stretch out to me/us the strength of your arm and renewed assurance of your love; through your own suffering and risen Child Jesus. Amen.  or when appropriate Mother and Father God, I lament I have not had strength to hold, bear, and nurture the new life you have sent. Lift me up from my distress. Fill my grieving heart. Renew my hope. Receive the child I return to you into the arms of your mercy, for which I also yearn. Amen.    

For Caregivers and Others in Support of the Sick: Compassionate God, support and strengthen all those who reach out in love, concern, and prayer for the sick and distressed. In their acts of compassion, may they know that they are your instruments. In their concerns and fears may they know your peace. In their prayer may they know your steadfast love. May they not grow weary or faint-hearted, for your mercy’ sake. Amen.  

For Those Who Are Sick and Those Who Minister to Them: Gracious God, source of life and health: Jesus came to our disordered world to make your people whole. Send your Spirit on those who are sick and all who minister to them; that when the sick enter your peace, they may offer thanks to your Great Name; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

For Companions to Those Who Are Chronically Ill: O God, surround N. [and N.] with your compassion as she/he/they live[s] with N. in sickness. Help N. [and N.] to accept the limits of what she/he/they can do, that feelings of helplessness and frustration [and anger] may be transformed into serene acceptance and joyful hope in you. Let her/him/them remember the grief and love of Jesus over the afflictions of his friends, knowing that God too weeps. Bring her/him/them gladness and strengthened love in her/his/their service; through Christ our companion. Amen.

For Healthcare Workers: O God, watch over those whom you have called to the study and practice of the arts of healing, and the prevention of disease and pain. Give them the wisdom of your Holy Spirit, that through their work the health of our community may be advanced and your creation glorified; through your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

For Emergency Workers: God our strong deliverer: when those charged with the urgent mediation of your healing power feel overwhelmed by the numbers of the suffering, uphold them in their fatigue and banish their despair. Let them see with your eyes, so they may know all their patients as precious. Give comfort, and renew their energy and compassion, for the sake of Jesus in whom is our life and our hope. Amen.