Biblical Prayers For Terminally Ill Family Members
Biblical prayers for terminally ill family members often focus on themes of healing, comfort, and divine mercy, reflecting a deep reliance on God in times of distress. The Psalms, for instance, contain numerous expressions of physical and emotional suffering, alongside pleas for divine intervention. Psalm 6:2 cries out, "Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am frail; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are in agony" [2]. Similarly, Psalm 31:9 states, "Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am in distress. My eye, my soul, and my body waste away with grief" [3]. These passages illustrate a direct and honest appeal to God concerning bodily affliction.
The New Testament also emphasizes prayer for the sick. James 5:14-16 instructs, "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up" [1]. John Gill notes that "elders of the church" in this context could refer to experienced, prayerful members who can offer spiritual support [9]. The passage further encourages believers to "confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed" [11]. This highlights the communal aspect of prayer and the connection between spiritual and physical well-being.
Beyond direct pleas for healing, biblical tradition also encourages prayers for comfort and strength for the afflicted and their families. The Apostle Paul, for example, requested prayers for his deliverance and for the progress of the gospel, acknowledging the support of others' prayers (Philippians 1:16, 19) [1]. Christ himself demonstrated compassion for the afflicted, which serves as an encouragement for believers to pray (Hebrews 4:15) [4]. God is described as a refuge and strength for afflicted saints, providing comfort and deliverance (Psalm 27:5-6; Isaiah 49:13; 2 Corinthians 1:4-5) [5].
The practice of praying for others, especially those in distress, is a fundamental aspect of Christian duty [1]. John Calvin emphasized that believers should commit their brethren to God's care and protection, recognizing that nothing more can be desired if God is propitious [8]. Early Christian writings also attest to the practice of praying for families and those in need, including widows and orphans [6, 10]. The Old Testament records instances where individuals like Abraham and Jacob prayed for mercy concerning the aging process and weakness, suggesting a divine responsiveness to such petitions [7].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted, Duty Toward The — To pray for them -- Ac 12:5; Php 1:16,19; Jas 5:14-16. To sympathise with them -- Ro 12:15; Ga 6:2. To pity them -- Job 6:14. To bear them in mind -- Heb 13:3. To visit them -- Jas 1:27. To comfort them -- Job 16:5; 29:25; 2Co 1:4; 1Th 4:18. To relieve them -- Job 31:19,20; Isa 58:10; Php 4:14; 1Ti 5:10. To protect them -- Ps 82:3; Pr 22:22; 31:5.”
- Psalms “Psalms 6:2 (BSB) — Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am frail; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are in agony.”
- Psalms “Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am in distress. My eye, my soul, and my body waste away with grief. -- Psalms 31:9”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Compassion and Sympathy of Christ, The — Necessary to his priestly office -- Heb 5:2,7. Manifested for the Weary and heavy-laden. -- Mt 11:28-30. Weak in faith. -- Isa 40:11; 42:3; Mt 12:20. Tempted. -- Heb 2:18. Afflicted. -- Lu 7:13; Joh 11:33,35. Diseased. -- Mt 14:14; Mr 1:41. Poor. -- Mr 8:2. Perishing sinners. -- Mt 9:36; Lu 19:41; Joh 3:16. An encouragement to prayer -- Heb 4:15.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted Saints — God is with -- Ps 46:5,7; Isa 43:2. God is a refuge and strength to -- Ps 27:5,6; Isa 25:4; Jer 16:19; Na 1:7. God comforts -- Isa 49:13; Jer 31:13; Mt 5:4; 2Co 1:4,5; 7:6. God preserves -- Ps 34:20. God delivers -- Ps 34:4,19; Pr 12:13; Jer 39:17,18. Christ is with -- Joh 14:18. Christ supports -- 2Ti 4:17; Heb 2:18. Christ comforts -- Isa 61:2; Mt 11:28-30; Lu 7:13; Joh 14:1; 16:33. Christ preserves -- Isa 63:9; Lu 21:18. Christ delivers -- Re 3:10. Should praise God -- Ps 13:5,6; 56:8-10; 57:6,7; 71:20-23. Should imitate Christ -- Heb 12:1-3; 1P”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 1: Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus — CONCLUSION.: I salute the families of my brethren, with their wives and children, and those that are ever virgins, and the widows. Be ye strong, I pray, in the power of the Holy Ghost. Philo, my fellow-servant, who is with me, greets you. I salute the house of Tavias, and pray that it may be confirmed in faith and love, both corporeal and spiritual. I salute Alce; my well-beloved,(6) and the incomparable Daphnus, and Eutecnus, and all by name. Fare ye well in the grace of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, bein”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 107b.17: Apropos the death of Elisha, the Gemara says: Until the time of Abraham there was no aging, and the old and the young looked the same. Anyone who saw Abraham said: That is Isaac, and anyone who saw Isaac said: That is Abraham. Abraham prayed for mercy, that he would undergo aging, as it is stated: “And Abraham was old, well stricken in age” (Genesis 24:1). There is no mention of aging before that verse. Until the time of Jacob there was no weakness, i.e., illness. Jacob prayed for mercy and there was weakness, as it is stated: “And one said to Joseph: Beho”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 75: we all obtain whatever is good is our common Father ( Mt. 23:9 ), every thing which has been distributed to us we should be prepared to communicate to each other, as far as occasion demands. But if we are thus desirous as we ought, to stretch out our hands and give assistance to each other, there is nothing by which we can more benefit our brethren than by committing them to the care and protection of the best of parents, since if He is propitious and favourable nothing more can be desired. And, indeed, we owe this also to our Fath”
- James (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on James 5:14: Is any sick among you?.... Which is often the case; the bodies of the saints, as well as others, are liable to a variety of diseases; they are sick, and sometimes nigh unto death, as Epaphroditus was: and then, let him call for the elders of the church; in allusion to the elders of the congregation of Israel, Lev 4:15. By these may be meant, either the elder members of the church, men of gravity and soundness in the faith, persons of long standing and experience; who have the gift and grace of prayer, and are not only capable of performing that duty, but of giving a ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 8: Twelve Patriarchs, Excerpts, Epistles, Apocrypha, Decretals — CHAP. XII. -- RULES FOR VISITS, EXORCISMS, AND HOW PEOPLE ARE TO ASSIST THE SICK, AND TO WALK IN ALL THINGS WITHOUT OFFENCE. (part 1): Moreover, also, this is comely and useful, that a man "visit orphans and widows," [21] and especially those poor persons who have many children. These things are, without controversy, required of the servants of God, and comely and suitable for them. This also, again, is suitable and right and comely for those who are brethren in Christ, that they should visit those who are harassed by evi”
- James (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on James 5:16: The oldest authorities read, "Confess, THEREFORE," &c. Not only in the particular case of sickness, but universally confess. faults--your falls and offenses, in relation to one another. The word is not the same as sins. Mat 5:23-24; Luk 17:4, illustrate the precept here. one to another--not to the priest, as Rome insists. The Church of England recommends in certain cases. Rome compels confession in all cases. Confession is desirable in the case of (1) wrong done to a neighbor; (2) when under a troubled conscience we ask counsel of a godly minister o”