Prayers for Surgery and Recovery

The waiting period before surgery – for yourself or a loved one – can bring about many emotions that leave us feeling discomfort, anxious, or worried. And sitting in that discomfort, anxiety, or worry can feel like a never-ending amount of time. Talking to God during this time is helpful – to give Him the burdens on our hearts and minds and do our best to trust in His plan.

Anointing of the Sick

In addition to prayer during this waiting period before surgery, many Catholics receive the Anointing of the Sick. One of the seven Sacraments, the Anointing of the Sick, is a gift of healing for the whole person – mind, body, soul. It harkens back to Jesus’ healing ministry in the Gospels and is a prayerful way for you or a loved one to prepare for surgery in the Catholic tradition.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines the Anointing of the Sick as,

A particular gift of the Holy Spirit. The first grace of this sacrament is one of strengthening, peace and courage to overcome the difficulties that go with the condition of serious illness or the frailty of old age. This grace is a gift of the Holy Spirit, who renews trust and faith in God and strengthens against the temptations of the evil one, the temptation to discouragement and anguish in the face of death. This assistance from the Lord by the power of his Spirit is meant to lead the sick person to healing of the soul, but also of the body if such is God’s will. Furthermore, “if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”

The Holy Spirit, in particular, has a charism (special gift or ability) of healing. Thus, when priests give the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, they say a prayer rooted in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

“Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit.”

The priest says this prayer while making the Sign of the Cross on the sick person’s forehead using holy oils, similar to how we receive ashes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday. To receive this sacrament, contact your local priest or parish, or ask the hospital about a Catholic priest visiting in the hospital.

Prayer before surgery

• Jesus, I am anxious about my upcoming surgery, yet I trust in You. I trust You to help the physicians, nurses, and aids involved to heal me. I trust You to be with me during the procedure. Jesus, I trust in You. Jesus, I trust in You. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
• God, You are the Divine Healer. Please help me find patience for my healing. Please guide me to rest in Your presence in this time of waiting.
• St. Luke, you are the patron saint of physicians and surgeons. Please pray for me and all those involved in my surgery or recovery. Help lead me to trust in Jesus.

Also, pray the Surrender Novena for the 9 Days leading up to your surgery on Hallow, or consider the St. Peregrine Novena if you’re battling cancer.

Healing in Scripture

Did you know that the Bible records more than 40 specific occasions when Jesus healed someone or multiple? These are just a small handful of the miracles He performed. We also consider all of the miraculous healings so many have experienced after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Before your surgery, spend some time meditating on just a few of these scriptural moments of healing:

• Luke 7: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
• Matthew 9: “Let it be done for you according to your faith.”
• John 5: “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.”

Prayer for surgery for a friend or family member

• Lord, I thank you for the gift of physicians, hospitals, and medicine to help heal our loved ones. Please hold [name of your loved one] in Your palm as they undergo surgery. Guide the physicians, nurses, and aids for a peaceful surgery. And may [name of your loved one] have a gentle recovery. Amen.
• Holy Spirit, you have a gift to comfort and heal. Please rest in the operating room with [name of your loved one] and be present while they undergo surgery. Amen.
• Jesus, You are the Healer. Please guide the hearts, minds, and hands of all the physicians, nurses, and aids in [name of your loved one]’s surgery. May You lead them with Your grace and mercy in all the work they do.

Prayer for your recovery and healing after surgery

• Heavenly Father, please help me have patience in this time of recovery. Help me seek rest in Your presence. Amen.
• God, you are the Divine Healer. I trust in Your healing and Your time for my recovery. Guide me toward a healthier life, a life with less pain and more of Your Love. Amen.

In your recovery, you can also pray with the beautiful Healing Prayer of Padre Pio:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for loving me.

I thank you for sending your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, to the world to save and to set me free.

I trust in your power and grace that sustain and restore me.

Loving Father, touch me now with your healing hands, for I believe that your will is for me to be well in mind, body, soul and spirit.

Cover me with the most precious blood of your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ from the top of my head to the soles of my feet.

Cast anything that should not be in me.

Root out any unhealthy and abnormal cells.

Open any blocked arteries or veins and rebuild and replenish any damaged areas.

Remove all inflammation and cleanse any infection by the power of Jesus’ precious blood.

Let the fire of your healing love pass through my entire body to heal and make new any diseased areas so that my body will function the way you created it to function.

Touch also my mind and my emotion, even the deepest recesses of my heart.

Saturate my entire being with your presence, love, joy, and peace, and draw me ever closer to you every moment of my life.

And Father, fill me with your Holy Spirit and empower me to do your works so that my life will bring glory and honor to your holy name.

I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.