Bible Verses for Healing Prayer (Jehovah Rapha)

When you or someone you love is sick, hurting, or waiting on a diagnosis, the waiting can feel unbearable. You want to pray, but sometimes you don't know what to say. God's Word gives you words.

One of God's names is Jehovah Rapha, "the LORD who heals." Here are Bible verses for healing prayer, for your body, your heart, and the people you're carrying to God.

God is a healer

• Exodus 15:26: "For I am the LORD that healeth thee."
• Psalm 103:2–3: "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases."
• Jeremiah 30:17: "For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD."
• Malachi 4:2: "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings."

God revealed Himself as Jehovah Rapha right after He turned bitter water sweet for His thirsty people. Healing isn't something God does reluctantly. It's part of who He is.

Verses to pray for healing

• Jeremiah 17:14: "Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise."
• Isaiah 53:5: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
• James 5:14–15: "Is any sick among you? 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 shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up."
• 3 John 1:2: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."

James 5 invites you not to carry sickness alone. Ask your church to pray over you. Healing prayer was always meant to be done in community.

Verses of comfort while you're sick

• Psalm 41:3: "The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness."
• Psalm 147:3: "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."
• Mark 5:34: "And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague."
• Proverbs 17:22: "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine."

Psalm 41:3 paints a tender picture: God at the bedside, strengthening and comforting. The woman in Mark 5 had been sick for twelve years and spent everything on doctors. Jesus didn't just heal her body. He called her "Daughter."

When healing hasn't come yet

• 2 Corinthians 12:9: "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."
• Revelation 21:4: "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain."

Paul prayed three times for his "thorn in the flesh" to be removed, and God answered with grace instead. Not every prayer for healing is answered the way we hope on this side of heaven. That isn't a sign of weak faith. Every believer is promised complete healing in the end, and God's grace carries us until then.

God heals through medicine too

Luke, who wrote one of the Gospels, was called "the beloved physician" (Colossians 4:14). Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and treatments are among the ways God brings healing. Praying and following medical care go hand in hand.

Ways to surround yourself with healing truth

Pray one verse a day over yourself or your loved one, out loud.

Ask others to pray. Share a specific request with your church or a few faithful friends.

Create a peaceful space. Our Jehovah Rapha, My Healer Collection keeps the promise of God as healer in front of you, and a Christian candle or soft faith-filled blanket makes a thoughtful gift for someone recovering.

A prayer for healing

Jehovah Rapha, You are the Lord who heals. I bring You [name / my body / this diagnosis]. Heal what is sick, restore what is broken, and strengthen what is weak. Guide the hands of every doctor and nurse. While we wait, surround us with Your peace and let Your grace be enough. I trust You with the outcome, and I praise You in advance. In Jesus' name, amen.

Need someone to pray with you? Visit our Pray With Me page.