It’s hard seeing any woman suffer, but it is especially hard if that woman is your mom. Many people find that their prayers increase with frequency and enthusiasm when their mother is sick. This is especially true if the illness is severe and includes hospitalization.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Prayers for a Mother With a Serious Illness or Who’s in the Hospital
- Prayers for a Mother With a Cold, Flu, or Less Serious Illness
Here are prayers for healing that you can say for your mother or another woman who is suffering. We included formal prayers from various sources, but you can come up with your own text as well. Simply speak from the heart, and God will hear you.
Tip: If you recently lost your mother, you might be sorting through the complex life she left behind. Our post-loss checklist can help you understand what tasks you should tackle next.
Prayers for a Mother With a Serious Illness or Who’s in the Hospital
Watching your vibrant, healthy mom suffer from cancer, heart disease, or another debilitating illness is excruciating. You may feel frightened for her future, and at the same time, frustrated that you can’t do anything to improve the situation.
While you may feel like your hands are tied, you can always turn to God at your darkest hour. Here are some prayers that ask for healing. We also included prayers asking for a peaceful heart for yourself and the rest of your family.
Consider sharing your belief in God with your mom by praying in front of her. We know that it is difficult knowing what to say when someone is sick, but your mom will know what’s in your heart based on the text of your prayer.
1. “For a Sick Person” from the Book of Common Prayer
This concise prayer has a long list of requests. It asks that the woman be comforted and preserved. It also asks that the mother be given patience “under her affliction.” Finally, the prayer text requests that the mother be restored to good health.
This Christian prayer can be used for members of many different denominations.
2. “Before an Operation” from the Book of Common Prayer
The text of this prayer asks for the mom to be restored to “usefulness in God’s world.” It also thanks God for his healing gifts “through the skill of surgeons and nurses.”
Again, this Christian prayer can be used by members of many different denominations and recited before your mom goes into surgery.
3. “Thanksgiving for a Beginning of a Recovery” from the Book of Common Prayer
Don’t let your prayer life slacken when your mom shows signs of recovery. Consider reciting this prayer for a person who is showing positive signs of improvement.
This prayer celebrates “both relief from pain and hope of health renewed.”
4. “Prayer for a Sick Mom” from Christian Prayer Website
Consider praying these words over your mom as she sleeps. The prayer asks for God to “cover her as she sleeps with the encircling power of Christ.”
Consider reciting this prayer even if distance separates you and your mom. Tell your mom that you are praying for her when you send a get well soon message and gift.
5. “A Jewish Prayer for Healing”
This prayer lists both male and female ancestors of the Jewish faith. It asks that God graciously “restore the health and strength” of your mom or another ill friend or family member.
6. “Jewish Prayer for the Sick”
This prayer is also referred to as Mi Sheberach. This prayer is for anyone who is suffering, not specifically a mother. This prayer is mostly recited in the synagogue.
7. “Du’a” from the Islamic Faith
This prayer is from the Quran. It is said by the prophet Ayyub, (who is referred to as Job in Judeo-Christian religions.) In this prayer, Ayyub states, “Truly distress has seized me, but You are Most Merciful of those that are merciful.”
Prayers for a Mother With a Cold, Flu, or Less Serious Illness
Even if your mom is suffering from the common cold, she still covets your prayers. Prayers for healing shouldn’t be limited to severe illnesses. You may have a vibrant prayer life and keep many people’s concerns, no matter how small, in front of God.
Here are some prayers for healing, but we also included special prayers for mothers in general. Even if a cold doesn’t keep your mom in bed, it may affect her ability to complete all the tasks that she enjoys doing to assist her family. This means that your mom would probably appreciate your prayers, even if she is only suffering from a cold.
8. “Blessing for Mothers on Mother’s Day” from the Catholic Book of Blessings
Several intercessions can be prayed on Mother’s Day. One of them is specifically for women who have lost a child to death. It reads, “For mothers who have lost a child through death, that their faith may give them hope, and their family and friends support and console them, we pray to the Lord.”
9. “For the Aged” from the Book of Common Prayer
Perhaps your mom is only facing a cold, but if she is elderly, your mom may have a difficult time recovering. This prayer is for the aged. It asks that as the elderly person’s “strength diminishes, increase their faith and their assurance of your love.”
10. “For Families” from the Book of Common Prayer
The writer of this prayer must know that it is not always easy to get along with those with whom we live. This prayer reads in part, “enkindle fervent charity among us all, that we may evermore be kindly affectioned one to another; through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Remember to pray for your entire family every day. From your grandparents to your grandchildren, they all need God’s help.
11. “Prayer for Motherhood” from the Catholic Church
This beautifully written prayer includes the following lines: “May the prayers of the Blessed Mother be a beacon of light to all women, leading them on the path to discover true beauty, serve with humility, give of their own hearts and bodies, confound the darkness and blind the evil ones with the light of feminine grace.”
If you are looking for a Catholic mom’s gift, consider purchasing a beautifully formatted and framed prayer. This would be a great last-minute gift idea to pick up from a Catholic book store on the way to see your ailing mom.
12. “Mother’s Day Blessing” from the Jewish Faith
This prayer asks that as mothers “care for and nourish your children, may you too feel nourished by the Source of Life.” Even though this prayer was explicitly written for Mother’s Day, it could be recited any time of year, especially when your mom may not be feeling her best.
13. “Gomel” from the Jewish Faith
The Gomel prayer is used for a variety of purposes, but it is mainly said in thanksgiving. You can offer this prayer of thankfulness when your mother heals from a cold or another serious illness.
14. “May Every Tear” from the Islamic Faith
This short prayer reads, “May every tear that has ever fallen from your tired eyes on my behalf become a river for you in paradise.” This prayer offers a lovely sentiment for the woman who has done so much for you.
15. “The Healing Prayer of the Medicine Buddha”
This mantra of the Medicine Buddha can be recited in honor of an ailing mom. The website with the text of this prayer suggests that you visualize the words flowing into you like sunlight.
Improving Your Prayer Life
Many believers, no matter the faith community that they are a part of, often turn to prayer as a last resort. They wait until the direst of circumstances before getting on their knees to ask God for help.
Instead of waiting for your mom to get extremely sick before offering prayers, why not pray for her every day? Ask that God gives her the physical stamina she needs to complete her daily tasks and ask that God protect her mental health. Many moms are born worriers, and this anxiety takes its toll on the health of many women.
Also, consider praying for your mom’s spiritual health, especially if you are concerned that she doesn't have a strong relationship with God.
Do you want to improve your prayer life? Start by searching for prayer books written by members of your faith community. Once you feel comfortable, you may use your own words to pray.
It’s also important to set aside time each day (or several times a day) for prayer. Make it a part of your daily schedule.
If you're looking for more ways to support a loved one during a difficult time, read our guides on words of comfort and comforting quotes.
Sources
- “Islamic Prayers.” Australian Religious Response to Climate Change. www.arrcc.org.au/reflect-prayers-islamic
- “Medicine Buddha Healing Prayer.” www.audiomeditationcds.com/intermediate
- “The (Online) Book of Common Prayer.” The Church Hymnal Corporation, New York. www.bcponline.org/
- “Psalms and Jewish Prayer for Healing.” Chabad.org. www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1228223/jewish/Psalms-and-Jewish-Prayer-for-Healing.htm