World Day of the Sick 2019 Week 2

Prayers for Clinical Caregivers: February 11-15

MONDAY:

This week, we focus our prayer on the work of clinical caregivers—the team of physicians, nurses and clinical support staff who bring God's healing presence into the lives of people in need. Authentic and complete recovery is best achieved when providers work as a continuum of care and in relationship with one another.
We pray, today, for their continued collaboration. Relationships such as these require vulnerability and an ability to admit when we are wrong or need help. Pope Francis explains it in this way: "Only if we see ourselves, not as a world apart, but in a fraternal relationship with others, can we develop a social practice of solidarity aimed at the common good." He continues, "We should not be afraid to regard ourselves as needy or reliant on others, because individually and by our own efforts we cannot overcome our limitations." Rather, we must bear in mind the ways God, who in Jesus, continues to stoop down to us in aid, granting gifts beyond our imagining.

Together, then, let us pray this week that clinical caregivers might have the courage and vulnerability to work together toward healing for those in their care.

The response is: May the Lord be glad in his works.

Reader: From the Book of Psalms …
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
You are clothed with majesty and glory,
robed in light as with a cloak.

Response: May the Lord be glad in his works.

Reader: You fixed the earth upon its foundation,
not to be moved forever;
With the ocean, as with a garment, you covered it;
above the mountains the waters stood.

Response: May the Lord be glad in his works.

Reader:
You send forth springs into the watercourses
that wind among the mountains.
Beside them the birds of heaven dwell;
from among the branches they send forth their song.

Response: May the Lord be glad in his works.

Reader:
How manifold are your works, O LORD!
In wisdom you have wrought them all—
the earth is full of your creatures;
Bless the LORD, O my soul! Alleluia.

Response: May the Lord be glad in his works.

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 our physicians, nurses, technicians, and mental health professionals the courage to be guardians of dignity of those who are abandoned and discarded. 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. 12 - 15

TUESDAY: A prayer for nurses …

Prayer: Today, let us bear in mind nurses, whose boundless compassion and willing hands see beyond symptoms and signs of illness. Grant them, oh God, the necessary patience and endurance to continue to offer the gift of themselves to others.

Response: May the Lord be glad in his works.

WEDNESDAY: A prayer for Telemetry Technicians, CNAs, PAs, etc. …

Prayer: Infinite God, you formed us and know even the number of hairs on our head. Similarly, in their daily work, telemetry technicians, CNAs and other 'behind the scenes' workers come to know some of the most intimate details of their patients' lives. May they honor Your presence in those details, and be Your face in their caregiving.

Response: May the Lord be glad in his works.

THURSDAY: A prayer for physicians …

Prayer: As we pray for physicians today, let us be grateful not only for the skills they possess, but also, for the continued grace to allow those in their care who are suffering and vulnerable to touch them and teach them. May their work and presence continue to bring hope to those in pain.

Response: May the Lord be glad in his works.

FRIDAY: A prayer for Spiritual and Mental Health Professionals …

Prayer: God, in a particular way, walk with those spiritual and mental health professionals who walk with patients into their darkest moments. May they shine your light brightly into the depths of despair, and let that light serve as their guide as they navigate the chaos of the mind.

Response: May the Lord be glad in his works.

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