Catholic Prayers for Healing: Traditional Prayers to Pray Today
Traditional Catholic prayers for healing of body, mind, and spirit — including prayers to Jesus the Divine Physician and St. Raphael the Archangel.
The Church has prayed for healing since the beginning — in the sacraments, in the Psalms, and in treasured prayers handed down across generations. Gathered here are traditional Catholic prayers for healing that you can pray today, for yourself or for someone you love.
Prayer is not a formula; these words are on-ramps for the heart. Pray them slowly, and make them your own.
Prayer to Jesus, the Divine Physician
Lord Jesus, You went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. I come to You now as the Divine Physician of body and soul. Lay Your hands upon me; speak Your word over me; let Your healing power flow into every part of my being — body, mind, memories, and spirit. I trust in Your goodness and Your will to make me whole. Amen.
Prayer to St. Raphael the Archangel
Glorious Archangel St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace — guide of travelers, consoler of the afflicted, and healer by God's power — I beg you to assist me in all my needs and in all the sufferings of this life. As you once restored sight and health in the days of Tobit, obtain for me the healing that God wills for my body and soul. Amen.
St. Raphael's name means "God heals" — he is the Church's traditional patron of healing, from the Book of Tobit.
A Short Prayer of Surrender in Illness
Father, I place myself in Your hands. You knit me together; nothing in my body is a mystery to You. I receive Your love, I receive Your word, and I receive Your healing in whatever way You choose to give it. Strengthen my faith while I wait, and let my life glorify You. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Praying Scripture as Prayer
Some of the most powerful healing prayers are Scripture itself, turned Godward. "Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for you are my praise" (Jeremiah 17:14) is a complete healing prayer in one verse. Our Healing Scriptures collection is a prayer book in waiting — pray the verses aloud with your own name in them.
The Sacramental Path
For serious illness, the Church offers the Anointing of the Sick — ask your parish priest; it is a sacrament of healing, not only a preparation for death. Confession, too, belongs to the Church's healing ministry: peace with God is medicine the soul feels.
Pray with Others
Jesus promised His presence where two or more gather in His name — the very heart of this ministry. Join the daily prayer call and weekly Bible study to be prayed with and prayed for, and read Marybeth's teaching on expectant prayer in Just Say the Word and How Do I Know God Hears Me.
Related Resources
This page is part of our free Scripture & Prayer Library. For Marybeth's personal teaching, testimony, and encouragement, visit the blog — or join us live at our daily prayer call and weekly Bible study.