Prayer is a powerful thing. 

During periods of intense stress and worry, prayer can give you comfort and hope. It's also a fantastic way to boost your strength and reserve, which you'll need to support others better. 

There is no wrong way to pray for a sick friend, though there are several ways you could choose from. 

If the sick person draws comfort from prayer, you can pray with them directly. If your friend is in the hospital or you can't be with them physically, you can also pray with them over the phone. 

You may also want to pray by yourself, with a trusted person who can support you, or with a member of your clergy. 

Alternatively, you could engage your friend's family and loved ones in a prayer for healing or put in a prayer request.

Praying in a small group can be a great source of comfort for the sick person's loved ones, as the burden of supporting a sick person is a heavy one (especially if they are caring for a sick child). 

You can also offer other support alongside your prayers. 

For example, you could cook food for your friend or their family, guide them through a meditation exercise, offer to help with a difficult task like cleaning, or give them a gift to express your love.

We can see God's deep love for His children reflected in Jesus's actions in the Bible. 

Naturally, reading the Bible and reflecting on its words can bring you and your loved ones comfort during trying times, as you can look to Jesus for hope and strength. 

One such story that resonates with many Christians is told in John 9:6-7. 

In this passage, Jesus meets a blind man at the Siloam Pool. To heal his blindness, Jesus spits on the ground, creates mud, and smears it in the blind man's eyes. When the formerly blind man washes the mud from his eyes, he can see again. 

Through Mark 2:9-12, we also see that Jesus can heal through love and forgiveness. 

In this story, Jesus encounters a man who's crippled and sits on a mat on the floor. As the Son of God, Jesus forgives the man's sins and tells him to stand. To the amazement of onlookers, the once-paralyzed man stands up and walks perfectly. 

But Jesus doesn't just heal individuals, as his love is great. 

For example, in Luke 17:12-16, Jesus meets ten men with leprosy when he enters a village. The men beg Jesus for help, asking, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" Jesus sends the men to the priests, and on the way, they discover they are healed.

These examples aren't the only time healing through God's love is mentioned in the Bible. While there are many passages you could turn to, here are just three you might take hope from: 

• Jeremiah 17:14: "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise."
• Isaiah 41:10: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
• John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

‍Additionally, you could also take hope from our Bible meditation on healing and grief.

It can be difficult to pray for a sick friend during periods of stress, as finding the right words can be tough. To help you in this trying time, we want to share six prayers with you.

Short prayer for healing and recovery

Gracious God, let us ask you to guide [friend’s name] back to health. They have suffered greatly and need your salvation. Please lay your hands on them and grant them a speedy recovery. Amen. 

Prayer for surgery

Dear Lord, we pray that [friend’s name] surgery will go well so they can start to heal. Bless their doctors and nurses and all the caring hospital staff who have been dutiful and kind to them. May the surgery go smoothly, and may there be no complications. Oh Lord, bless [friend’s name] and give them the bravery they need to face their surgery with ease. In the name of Jesus, Amen. 

Prayer for pain relief 

Dear Lord, we come to you today to ask for relief from pain. Our dear friend is having a hard time and hurting greatly, and we wish to ask for your mercy. Please grant [friend’s name] relief from their burdens and bless them with a good night's rest. O Lord, we thank you for the blessing of wellness. Amen.

Prayer for health

Our Father, we humbly ask for your healing hand. You know the pain they've carried as we do. They are sore and sick, and they have a broken heart. May you use your almighty power to nurse them back to good health so that they may find themselves once more. Lord, we have read of your many wonders, and we beg of you another. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Prayer for hope

Dear God, we ask that you inspire hope in us during this trying time. Our spirits have waned, and we are feeling heavy. We ask you now for the wisdom and peace to carry on. Please, give us the gift of a replenished spirit and guide us to have hope through our trials. May our dear friend get well soon. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen. 

Prayer for strength

Almighty God, I come to you in need of renewal. My body is tired, and my spirit is growing weary. Please, Lord, renew my strength during these trying times in my life. Allow me to serve [friend’s name] during their time of need, and grant me the patience to uplift their family through their sickness. I thank you, Heavenly Father, for the hope you have instilled in me. Let you now grant me the strength to continue to serve my friend on their sickbed. I bless you now and always, Amen.

Prayer is a powerful tool in times of need, as it allows you to ask the Father for hope, comfort, strength, and support. 

Offering a prayer for a sick friend is a very kind thing to do — but don't forget to ask for strength for yourself. 

Caring for a sick friend or loved one can be stressful and tiring, and it's natural to require hope and support. As a Christian, you can seek that support through prayer, as the Lord is always there to listen. 

If you would like to read Bible stories and learn more about the healing power of prayer, download the pray.com app from the iOS App or Google Play store.