The act of praying can help people find comfort during difficult times. It can make us feel less alone in the world. Prayers have been written for almost any occasion you can think of.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Prayers for a Seriously or Terminally Ill Son
- Prayers for a Son With a Cold, Flu, or Minor Illness
- Prayers for a Son Who’s in the Hospital
If you have a son or grandson who is ill, prayer may bring you some peace of mind. Here are some poems from several religions to pray for a son or grandson who means so much to you.
Prayers for a Seriously or Terminally Ill Son
Many people search for prayers for healing when someone they love is ill. But sometimes when someone is seriously or terminally ill, those prayers may not help you feel better.
Instead, you might turn to prayers to help you find peace with whatever happens. We’ve collected some of our favorites here.
1. “Celtic Peace Prayer” from Ancient Celtic Christianity
“Deep Peace of the running wave to you
Deep Peace of the flowing air to you
Deep Peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep Peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the shades of night to you
Moon and stars always giving Light to you.”
This brief prayer dates back to broad Christian traditions from the early Middle Ages. It would have originally been spoken in Celtic. Its message is timeless and would be appropriate for people of many spiritual traditions.
2. “A Buddhist Prayer for Peace” from Buddhism
The opening lines of this prayer go as follows:
“May all beings everywhere plagued with sufferings of body and mind quickly be freed from their illnesses.
May those frightened cease to be afraid, and may those bound be free.”
This prayer may bring comfort, there is a sense of openness to it. You are not necessarily praying for a miraculous cure. Instead, you’re praying for the patient to be released from their suffering. That can happen in whatever way the universe dictates.
3. “Untitled” from Hinduism
Sometimes when someone is terminally ill, it can be hard to pray for healing for them. More generalized prayers of healing can feel more comforting. Here is an excerpt of one:
“May all be motivated by noble thoughts. May all rejoice everywhere. May all be happy. May all be free from diseases. May all realize what is good and healthy.”
4. “Untitled” from Buddhism
Buddhism as a practice is very accepting of death. Death is just part of our journey: it is not the end. This brief prayer exemplifies that attitude:
“May all beings cross over to the other shore, from suffering to liberation, from forgetfulness to mindfulness, from ignorance to enlightenment.”
5. “Healing Prayer” from Catholicism
The author of this prayer belongs to a Catholic religious institute. But it is intended to be appropriate for interfaith use:
“Source of all life and healing,
Be with me in this time of physical, emotional and spiritual need.
Help me cope with the challenges I am facing.
Comfort and encourage those who love and care and whose lives have been unsettled and disrupted by illness.
I pray for patience and for understanding.
I pray for strength and wisdom.
I pray for healing and for inner peace.”
Prayers for a Son With a Cold, Flu, or Minor Illness
It’s never easy to see your child or grandchild struggling with an illness. Even if it’s a relatively mild illness like a cold, it’s hard to see kids in pain or discomfort. It’s even more challenging when they’re young enough that they don’t understand why they feel so bad. Saying a prayer for a sick child may help you get into a better emotional headspace. This will make you that much better at caring for them.
6. “Short Prayer for a Sick Child” from Christianity
When a small child is sick, prayer may help them feel comforted. But it’s important to keep it age-appropriate. A long or serious prayer may end up being intimidating instead of soothed. This simple and sweet prayer is just right:
“Heavenly Father, watch over our child, and grant that he may be restored to that perfect health which it is yours alone to give; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
7. “Prayer Over a Sick Child” from Judaism
This prayer (excerpted below) won’t just comfort your child. It will remind you that you can care for them:
“May it be your will O Lord to bring full health to my child. Until that time, grant me the understanding and strength to help my child get through this sickness. Let me know the best way to make him feel better.”
8. “Prayer to Saint Nicholas For a Sick Child” from Catholicism
St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children. A prayer to him is very apropos when your child is under the weather. It begins like this:
“Saint Nicholas, who like the Savior,
loved children so tenderly and gave generously to those in need,
listen to us who plead for this sick child
who is so dear to our hearts.”
9. “A New Prayer” from Unitarianism
Many prayers put everything in the hands of a higher power. This poem can remind parents that we have the tools to help children through a mild illness:
“We pray for health.
We pray for love
but seek not answers from above.
May we be the answer
to another’s prayer.
Let us reach out and let us care.”
10. “Cheyenne Prayer for Peace” from Cheyenne Tradition
Sometimes sick children just need to be comforted. This prayer is exceptionally soothing:
“Let us know peace.
For as long as the moon shall rise,
For as long as the rivers shall flow,
For as long as the sun shall shine,
For as long as the grass shall grow,
Let us know peace.”
Prayers for a Son Who’s in the Hospital
It’s always nerve-wracking when your child or grandchild is in the hospital. Even if they’re just getting a routine procedure, there are always things that can go wrong. These prayers can help soothe any anxiety you might have. Whether you’re in the waiting room or across the country, this can help ease your anxiety.
11. “Untitled” from Anglicanism
This poem from the Book of Common Prayer can help bring comfort to you and the patient if you say it together before a surgery:
Strengthen me, O God, to do what I have to do and bear what I have to bear; that, accepting your healing gifts through the skill of surgeons and nurses, I may be restored to usefulness in your world with a thankful heart; and this I pray. Amen.
12. “Untitled” from Secular Humanism
You might be surprised to know that secular prayers exist. But they can be excellent for people who are spiritual without ascribing to a particular faith. Here’s an excerpt from one:
“In all parts of ourselves, we are all connected. With every breath, we share this world. May we always feel our connection to those suffering, and to all in our world. May they find resilience in memories of the suffering they’ve faced before and in the power offered by their connection to others.”
13. “Untitled” from Islam
Is your son hospitalized with a contagious illness? This prayer for healing from the Qur’an is timeless:
“We beseech You to cure those that are ill from this disease, to protect those who are healthy and to grant us guidance so that we may be among those who are patient in adversity”
14. “Apache Blessing” from Apache Tradition
When you’re in the hospital, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the outside world. This prayer will comfort you and the patient, even in a sterile room:
“May the sun bring you new energy by day,
may the moon softly restore you by night,
may the rain wash away your worries,
may the breeze blow new strength into your being,
may you walk gently through the world and
know it’s beauty all the days of your life.”
15. “Prayer for the Start of Day” from Anglicanism
If your child is in the hospital, it’s easy to feel helpless. This prayer can renew your strength:
“This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely.”
Prayers to Help You Cope When Your Son or Grandson is Ill
When someone you love is sick, you always want to do what you can to help them feel better. Some people send get-well gifts for people who are going through cancer treatment. Some people send cards filled with encouraging words after surgery.
And some people say prayers for those who are sick or dying. Sharing these prayers with a sick child or grandchild may bring them comfort. But if prayer helps comfort you, you can say them to yourself if you need help coping. After all, patients are the only ones who need a little care.