OTHER BOOKS
Other books in the series:
Pocket Celtic Prayers
Compiled by Martin Wallace
Pocket Graces
Compiled by Pam Robertson
Pocket Prayers for Children
Compiled by Christopher Herbert
Pocket Prayers: The Classic Edition
Compiled by Christopher Herbert
Pocket Prayers for Advent and Christmas
Compiled by Jan McFarlane
Pocket Prayers for Commuters
Compiled by Christopher Herbert
Pocket Prayers for Healing and Wholeness
Compiled by Trevor Lloyd
Pocket Prayers for Marriage
Compiled by Andrew and Pippa Body
Pocket Prayers for Parents
Compiled by Hamish and Sue Bruce
Pocket Words of Comfort
Compiled by Christopher Herbert
Pocket Prayers for Pilgrims
Compiled by John Pritchard
Pocket Blessings
Compiled by Jan McFarlane
Church House Publishing
Church House
Great Smith Street
London SW1P 3AZ
ISBN 978 0 7151 4309 4
First published 2004 by Church House Publishing
Introduction, compilation and individual prayers © Trevor Lloyd 2004,
2012
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the written permission, which should be sought from the Copyright Administrator, Church House Publishing, Church House, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3AZ
Email: [email protected]
Printed in England by Ashford Colour Press Ltd, Fareham, Hants
CONTENTS
Help, I’m in hospital! Praying for myself
The world of caring: Praying for medical staff
Asking the impossible? Praying for others
Keeping well? Praying for wholeness
HELP, I’M IN HOSPITAL!
Praying for myself
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;
save me, and I shall be saved;
for you are my praise.
Jeremiah 17.14
Going into hospital is like entering a different world, with a culture we’re not used to. And we do this at a time when we have no energy left for making adjustments or for coping with apprehension or naked fear. These prayers put some of those feelings into words directed at God – who is here with us.
Where can we get help? The Lord’s Prayer is a good place to start, and this section ends with the Psalmist’s answer:
My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
*
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Contemporary Version
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Traditional Version
Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done,
in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
*
Jesus our Saviour,
Make yourself known to me
as I enter the hospital.
Help me to adjust to this new manner
of life.
Give me gratitude for those who care
for me,
compassion for those in the ward
with me,
and love for them all.
John Gunstone
*
Lord, I hate hospitals.
I hate the noise.
There is no privacy.
I’m just a back, or a leg or an arm,
And I can make almost no decisions.
But Lord I know absolutely
That I am here for your purpose.
Help me to see you
In the pain and frustration
As well as in the loving care.
Michael Hollings and Etta Gullick
*
Grant, O God, that amidst all the discouragements, difficulties and dangers, distress and darkness of this mortal life, I may depend on thy mercy, and on this build my hopes, as on a sure foundation. Let thine infinite mercy in Christ Jesus deliver me from despair, both now and at the hour of death.
Bishop Thomas Wilson (1663–1755)
*