Every day I need you, God, but this day especially. I need some extra strength to face whatever is to be...Today I need to feel you near me, to give me courage and to overcome my fear. By myself I cannot meet the challenges of this day. I need your help to bear what must be borne. And so, loving God, I pray- hold on to my hand and be with me today.

Amen

God of Wholeness and Health, the thought of my surgery makes me anxious. Bless the Doctors and Nurses who will care for me, may they use their skills and knowledge to give me healing and restore my health. Comfort me with your presence, God, and gift me with peace.

Amen

God, you who are the greatest healer, I thank you for your watchful care over me. Help me to regain my health and be near me in my recovery. Strengthen me and give me patience with the time it takes to heal and courage when I feel pain or discomfort. May I know your presence beside me as I give thanks for the wonderful gift of life that you have given me and I ask you to bless and hold all those I love.

Amen

Consoling God be a source of serenity for me when struggles and pain and difficulties threaten to overwhelm me. God of Hope, assure me of your unconditional love when I doubt myself or question the worth of my life.

Truth bringing God, encourage me to embrace you during those times when I get lost. Compassionate God, hold me to your heart when I feel helpless in the face of pain. Light filled God, keep me close to you during those moments when bleakness surrounds my life. Comforting God, shelter me under your wings when I am engulfed in sadness and overcome with distress. God of Peace, you are the centre of my life, a strong refuge of peace in the whirlwind of my pain. I look to you for strength and a constant assurance of hope and trust in in your promise that all will be well.

Amen

God, look upon me with eyes of mercy,
may your healing hand rest upon me,
may your life giving powers flow into every cell
of my body and into the depths of my soul,
restoring me to health and strength for service in your Kingdom.

Amen

God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.

Amen

Father, I miss my family and friends. Be with them and don't let them worry too much about me. Through this separation, may we get to appreciate each other all the more.

Bless all those who care for me here: Grant wisdom and gentleness to the doctors and nurses and all who care for the sick.

Give joy and satisfaction in their work to those who cook the meals, clean the rooms, and who fulfil technical and administrative tasks.

Breathe your spirit of hope and healing into the other sick people here, some who are lonely and frightened, some discouraged by slow progress, some for whom there is no progress. Free them from anxiety and fear by granting them perfect confidence in you.

Amen.

This is another day, another fresh start.

Thank you Father. I don't know what it will bring, but help me use it well.

Give me faith to meet its demands honestly; friendliness to share the pain and joy of others; patience so as not to give up hope; a sense of humour to separate what matters from what does not. Help me to accept love.

As I begin this day with you, let me live it and end it with you.

Amen

Thank you, Father, for this day, for all those who looked after me, for those who came to see me.

Bless those who are thinking of me now. Grant that it may not be long before I am with the people and the places I love.

Forgive my impatience and if I have offended anyone.

Give me a restful sleep that I may awake tomorrow stronger in body, more serene in mind, and ready for one of your more precious gifts - a fresh start.

Amen

May the light of your soul mind you,
May all of your worry and anxiousness about becoming old be transfigured.

May you be given wisdom for the eye of your soul, to see this beautiful time of harvesting.

May you have the commitment to harvest your life, to heal what has hurt you, to allow it to come closer to you and become one with you.

May you have great dignity, may you have a sense of how free you are, and above all may you be given the wonderful gift of meeting all that is within you.

May you be blessed, and may you find a wonderful love in yourself.

May you know that you will always be blessed with good friends.

May you learn to be a good friend to your-self.

As you journey into the unknown future, may you feel great love and warmth companioning you.

May this love and warmth transfigure in you all that is sad and sorrowful within you.

May you be brought into the real passion, friendship and affinity of belonging.

May you treasure your friends as you are treasured.

May we be good for each other and may we be there for one another sharing challenges and blessings.

May you never feel isolated and may you always be in the gentle nest of belonging with your friends and with your Creator.

(from John O'Donohue, Eternal Echoes)