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Nursing can be an emotionally extremely challenging job, and many providers look to their faith to cope. Religion can bring us solace and peace during times of crisis. We often look to our faith when we can’t explain the things we have witnessed or overcome. Nurses often spend more time caring for the sick and terminally ill than anyone else. They have more experience with death than most people will ever see in their entire lives.
Many nurses suffered from what’s known as moral injury during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is when someone witnesses or engages in something that goes against their morals or spiritual beliefs. The unprecedent amount of human suffering that occurred during the pandemic challenged our notions of life and death.
So, how can we reconcile with the tragedies we see as healthcare providers?
Through the gentle art of prayer.
We pulled from many traditions to give you prayers that we hope will work for any nurse of faith. These prayers reflect on what it means to be a nurse and caregiver, while offering hope and encouragement to those that have witnessed suffering. They are meant to be used as a minister of healing.
Find a BSN or RN prayer that’s helpful to you today from the list below.
And please, share a nurse’s prayer from your own life in the comments. Use this opportunity to share what these prayers mean to you and let us all have the grace and wisdom t0 move forward in times of crisis.
First, a beginning of the day prayer:
Dear Lord, as we begin this day, I ask for your guidance.
With your divine hand, Inspire, lead and give thy wisdom.
Throughout this day, may your grace be ever present in this healing place.
Bless our team, our hospital, our unit, as we gather to help those in need,
Let not your help be far away.
We seek your strength and ask that you give spirit as we make decisions for the good.
God of love, teach us to give our best, to speak with love and act with courage.
May we be good stewards of all the gifts you have given. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Larry L. Jackson
10 Patient Care Prayers
A prayer to help me care for my patients
A prayer for a tearful moment
A letting go prayer
A team prayer
To be a nurse prayer
A night nurse’s prayer
A prayer for when you lose a patient
Another prayer for when a patient dies
A dedication to care prayer
A prayer for the student nurse
8 Inner Strength Prayers
A prayer for guidance
A prayer for patience
A prayer for strength
A prayer for encouragement
A calming prayer
A healing prayer
A prayer to help you gain composure
A prayer for dealing with difficult coworkers
6 more prayers for throughout your day
A prayer to say in the shower
A prayer for your commute
A prayer for your coffee break
A prayer for your break time
A hand washing prayer
A sleep time prayer
Continue to a prayer to help me care for my patients
