in times of
Illness, Addiction, and Death
Loving God, Your Son accepted our sufferings to teach us the virtue of patience in human illness. Hear our prayers for our sick brothers and sisters. May all who suffer pain, illness, disease, and the frailty of old age realize that they have been chosen to be saints and know that they are joined to Christ in His suffering for the salvation of the world. Amen.
Dear Apostle and Martyr for Christ, you left us an Epistle in the New Testament. With good reason many invoke you when illness is at a desperate stage. We now recommend to your kindness (name of patient) who is in a critical condition. May the cure of this patient increase his/her faith and love for the Lord of Life, for the glory of our merciful God. Amen.
Almighty and Eternal God, the everlasting salvation of those who believe in Thee: hear us on behalf of Thy servant (name of individual), for whom we implore the aid of Thy tender mercy, that being restored to health, he/she may give thanks to Thee in Thy Church, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayer in times of Physical Sickness
St. Jude, I have not the strength to pray as I ought. Nothing is able to give me any relief. My courage is faltering, impatience and loneliness are clouding my mind and my heart. Obtain for me, St. Jude, the courage and resignation to accept all these trials from the hand of God with faith and patience. If it is for the good of my soul, grant that I amy recover my former health so taht I may be of assistance to others. Amen.
Prayer at the Death of a Loved One
St. Jude, you know the loneliness of my heart since God took (name of person) to his eternal reward. Make me realize taking (name of person) from me was not for my harm, but that I might look for him/her always in your presence. Amen.
Prayer in times of Mental Illness
Compassionate St. Jude, you have restored health and soundness of mind to so many through the power of God. See me (or here mention the person afflicted) in this suffering. Confident of your powerful intercession, I beg you to ask Jesus, the merciful Healer of the sick, to restore me (or name of person) that helped by His love I (or he/she) may experience once more that great gift of mental health. Amen.
Prayer of an Alcoholic
St. Jude, help me in this sickness which is spiritual, psychological, and physical. Strengthen my weak faith, no matter what may befall me. Teach me to be patient and serene in the midst of troubles. St. Jude, help me so that nothing will upset me or weaken my determination to stay sober and abstain from alcoholic drink. Amen.
Prayer for a Drug Addict
Dear St. Jude, drug addiction has caused a terrible upset in my family. The victim of this self-inflicted sickness has lost all sense of true reality: the reality of love as well as the reality of life. Beg almighty God to make this addict aware that true euphoria can only be found in Heaven and not with chemical dependence. Amen.