I suspect that if we could see places from which prayers fly up, day and night, and if they appeared as flashes of light or bolts of lightning, hospitals would be nearly as illuminated as churches. Sometimes maybe more. When I leave for my work as a emergency physician, I pray this:
Thank you all for the wonderful prayers and comments. Fantastic and inspiring! Certainly a great encouragement to others and prayers we can use in our own lives as well.
Lord, I ask that you keep me well as I drive my bus. Keep my students safe as you grant us safe travels. Make this day into something for your Glory, not just anything my weak flesh can request. Keep the bus running safely and properly, that we would all reach our destinations safely. In Jesus name, Amen.
When I had a double hip replacement in Baton Rouge, my surgeon, Dr. Broyles, held my hand and prayed just before we went into surgery. I'll never forget that. It was so wonderful.
I love this! We offer an interfaith prayer/reflection in my department each morning at the start of our day (since we are all chaplains, It wouldn't make sense for other hospital departments to do this!). It varies each day based on who offers it, but many people offer a variation of "guide us to be with your people in this place, to help offer them comfort in their distress. Help us to support all the staff and everyone who comes in and out of these doors."
O Lord, grant me to greet the coming of the day in peace, help me in all things to rely upon Your holy will. In every hour of the day reveal Your will to me.
Bless my dealings with all who surround me. Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of soul and the firm conviction that Your will governs all.
In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings.
In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by You.
Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others.
Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring.
Direct my will, teach me to pray. And, Yourself, pray in me. Amen.
Oh. and my wife always adds. "Lord, help him not to miss the Zebra's"
I had prayed a modified Baha'i children's prayer that I used to say in two verses going up the stairwell on my way to our ED, "Oh God, Guide me protect me, protect my family. Oh God guide me protect me, protect my patients, from me if necessary."
Two prayers I put on our fridge, gleaned from other parents:
(Full-time caregiving mom to 3 little ones here)
Father, please multiply the fruit of my faithfulness, and diminish the effects of my unfaithfulness. And may your faithfulness be the shield around our family.
May God be with us today, giving us an understanding of the dignity of the work we are doing, taking care of His little ones on His behalf – so that the Church can continue through the generations.
Thank you all for the wonderful prayers and comments. Fantastic and inspiring! Certainly a great encouragement to others and prayers we can use in our own lives as well.
Lord, I ask that you keep me well as I drive my bus. Keep my students safe as you grant us safe travels. Make this day into something for your Glory, not just anything my weak flesh can request. Keep the bus running safely and properly, that we would all reach our destinations safely. In Jesus name, Amen.
When I had a double hip replacement in Baton Rouge, my surgeon, Dr. Broyles, held my hand and prayed just before we went into surgery. I'll never forget that. It was so wonderful.
My ride to work prayer is very similar.
I have a few additions.
Lord, please let me know who is sick and who isn't.
Please Lord, let me know who can go home safely and who can't.
Lord, please give me a warm heart today when everything seems to pull against that.
Disgracefully, I now pray to meet metrics as well. Boo.......
Sometimes I say the Mi Shebeirach, the Hebrew prayer for healing. Sometimes just a wordless affirmation of faith.
Excellent prayers Ed and Brendan. Mine goes like this; Lord, please give me the energy, intelligence, and compassion to heal, in Jesus name, Amen.
I love this! We offer an interfaith prayer/reflection in my department each morning at the start of our day (since we are all chaplains, It wouldn't make sense for other hospital departments to do this!). It varies each day based on who offers it, but many people offer a variation of "guide us to be with your people in this place, to help offer them comfort in their distress. Help us to support all the staff and everyone who comes in and out of these doors."
O Lord, grant me to greet the coming of the day in peace, help me in all things to rely upon Your holy will. In every hour of the day reveal Your will to me.
Bless my dealings with all who surround me. Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of soul and the firm conviction that Your will governs all.
In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings.
In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by You.
Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others.
Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring.
Direct my will, teach me to pray. And, Yourself, pray in me. Amen.
Oh. and my wife always adds. "Lord, help him not to miss the Zebra's"
Thomas Aquinas’ student’s prayer before a paper submission or presentation!
Creator of all things,
true source of light and wisdom,
origin of all being,
graciously let a ray of your light penetrate
the darkness of my understanding.
Take from me the double darkness
in which I have been born,
an obscurity of sin and ignorance.
Give me a keen understanding,
a retentive memory, and
the ability to grasp things
correctly and fundamentally.
Grant me the talent
of being exact in my explanations
and the ability to express myself
with thoroughness and charm.
Point out the beginning,
direct the progress,
and help in the completion.
I ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
I ask for patience, strength, courage and wisdom to handle whatever comes.
I also had to chuckle at “protect my patients from me.” Oh how I can relate!
I had prayed a modified Baha'i children's prayer that I used to say in two verses going up the stairwell on my way to our ED, "Oh God, Guide me protect me, protect my family. Oh God guide me protect me, protect my patients, from me if necessary."
Oh Heavenly Father use my hands heart and voice to do my work according to your will. Amen
Two prayers I put on our fridge, gleaned from other parents:
(Full-time caregiving mom to 3 little ones here)
Father, please multiply the fruit of my faithfulness, and diminish the effects of my unfaithfulness. And may your faithfulness be the shield around our family.
May God be with us today, giving us an understanding of the dignity of the work we are doing, taking care of His little ones on His behalf – so that the Church can continue through the generations.
Mine went like this some days: “Lord you know the needs. Help us all.”