Prayers for Patients and Families: February 4-8
MONDAY:
As we observe World Day of the Sick throughout the month of February, we join the entire health ministry in praying for those who serve in and are served by Catholic health care. In his World Day of the Sick message, Pope Francis calls to mind the example and intercession of Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta. "Saint Mother Teresa helps us understand that our only criterion of action must be selfless love for every human being, without distinction of language, culture, ethnicity or religion. Her example continues to guide us by opening up horizons of joy and hope for all those in need of understanding and tender love, and especially for those who suffer."
During this first week, we hold in prayer the experience of patients and their families who are suffering. Please respond: Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Reader: From the Book of Psalms
How great is the goodness, O LORD,
which you have in store for those who fear you,
and which, toward those who take refuge in you,
you show in the sight of the children of men.
Response: Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Reader:
You hide them in the shelter of your presence
from the plottings of men;
You screen them within your abode
from the strife of tongues.
Response: Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Reader:
Blessed be the LORD whose wondrous mercy
he has shown me in a fortified city.
Response: Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Reader:
Once I said in my anguish,
"I am cut off from your sight";
Yet you heard the sound of my pleading
when I cried out to you.
Response: Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Reader:
Love the LORD, all you his faithful ones!
The LORD keeps those who are constant,
but more than requites those who act proudly.
Response: Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Closing Prayer:
Generous Lord, with love beyond all telling, you sent Jesus who sends us to shower your love on those most in need, particularly in our ministry to the sick. Inspire us to serve with courage, love and generosity in the spirit of Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
Give us courage to be guardians of the dignity of those who are abandoned and discarded, particularly those in hospice care, those who care for family members who are ill, those who are hopeful and those who are in need of hope. Let those among us whose voices are strong raise them in defense of the weak.
Give us love that unveils the face of Christ in the face of every individual we meet, particularly in those we find most difficult to care for.
Give us generosity born from the knowledge that all good things are gifts of your love and through us are to be shared with the world. Amen.
Daily Prayers Feb. 5 - 8
TUESDAY: A prayer for those in hospice care …
Prayer: Gracious God, we pray today for those in hospice care. As they wait in hope of their reunion with You, offer them comfort and solace such that they may peacefully journey toward the eternal rest you offer.
Response: Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
WEDNESDAY: A prayer for those who are waiting for answers …
Prayer: We offer a special prayer today for all those anxiously awaiting test results, lab work, answers to their daily question of "Why do I feel this way?" Help them to know Your presence, God, that they may feel you walking with them in their time of uncertainty.
Response: Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
THURSDAY: A prayer for those who care for family members at home …
Prayer: We pray for those family and friends who embody the 'selfless love' Saint Mother Teresa is known for by caring for their seriously ill loved ones at home. May the experience of Your love offer them courage and endurance in the face of exhaustion and burnout.
Response: Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
FRIDAY: A prayer for those who are experiencing improvement through the treatment of their illness …
Prayer: God, we thank you today for Your mercy as we remember those patients who, due to Your grace and the expertise of their doctors and caretakers, are daily getting closer to full recovery and healing. May they use their gift of healing toward the comfort and support of those who continue to suffer.
Response: Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Additional Resources
http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/sick/documents/papa-francesco_20181125_giornata-malato.html
http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2016/documents/papa-francesco_20160904_omelia-canonizzazione-madre-teresa.html
©The Catholic Health Association of the United States