United States Corps of Chaplains
National Headquarters
Training Office
"Nurture the Living, Care for the Dying
and Honor the Dead"
As Chaplains we are often called upon to comfort the sick in hospitals or those living in nursing facilities. Many times simply visiting for a friendly conversation can mean a great deal but there are times when specific Ministerial duties are required.
The function of a Chaplain is to "represent God" to the people they serve, remaining always respectful of the individual's belief system, yet maintaining their own religious traditions. When conducting ministry or services of worship that include persons of other than their own religious body, Chaplains hold in trust the tenets, or beliefs, of their respective faith group, and draw upon those beliefs, principles, and practices which they have in common.
This Chaplain's Training Bulletin Offers an Example of how to Minister to the Sick.
When making a "Sick Call", one or more parts of the following service are used, as appropriate, but when two or more are used together, they are used in the order indicated. The Lord's Prayer is always included.
When the Laying on of Hands takes place at a public celebration of the Eucharist, it is desirable that it precede the distribution of Holy Communion, and it is recommended that it take place immediately before the exchange of the Peace.
The Chaplain begins the service with the following or some other greeting
Peace be to this house (place), and to all who dwell in it.
Part I. Ministry of the Word
(General)
One or more of the following or other passages of Scripture are read:
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (God comforts us in affliction)
Psalm 91 (He will give his angels charge over you)
Luke 17:11-19 (Your faith has made you well)
(Penitence)
Hebrews 12:1-2 (Looking to Jesus, the perfecter of our faith)
Psalm 103 (He forgives all your sins)
Matthew 9:2-8 (Your sins are forgiven)
(When Anointing is to follow)
James 5:14-16 (Is any among you sick?)
Psalm 23 (You have anointed my head with oil)
Mark 6:7,12-13 (They anointed with oil many that were sick)
(When Communion is to follow)
1 John 5:13-15 (That you may know that you have eternal life)
Psalm 145:14-22 (The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord)
John 6:47-51 (I am the bread of life)
The following general confession may be said
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of you Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.
The Chaplain alone then says:
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins
through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness,
and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.
Amen.
Part II. Anointing with Oil
If oil for the Anointing of the Sick is to be blessed, the Chaplain says:
O Lord, holy Father, giver of health and salvation: Send your
Holy Spirit to sanctify this oil; that, as your holy apostles
anointed many that were sick and healed them, so may those
who in faith and repentance receive this holy unction be
made whole; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and
ever. Amen.
If the person is to be anointed, the Chaplain dips a thumb in the holy oil, and makes the sign of the cross on the sick person's forehead, saying:
(name), I anoint you with oil in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
If Communion is not to follow, the Lord's Prayer is now said.
The Chaplain concludes
The Almighty Lord, who is a strong tower to all who put their
trust in him, to whom all things in heaven, on earth, and under
the earth bow and obey: Be now and evermore your defense,
and make you know and feel that the only Name under
heaven given for health and salvation is the Name of our Lord
Jesus Christ. Amen.
If Communion is to follow The Chaplain continues by saying
The Gifts of God for the People of God
Take them in remembrance that Christ died for
you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith,
with thanksgiving.
The Sacrament is administered with the following or other words
The Body (Blood) of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you in
everlasting life. [Amen.]
The usual postcommunion prayer is then said
Gracious Father, we give you praise and thanks for this Holy
Communion of the Body and Blood of your beloved Son
Jesus Christ, the pledge of our redemption; and we pray that
it may bring us forgiveness of our sins, strength in our
weakness, and everlasting salvation; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Prayers for the Sick
For a Sick Person
O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in
time of need: We humbly beseech thee to behold, visit, and
relieve thy sick servant (name) for whom our prayers are desired.
Look upon him with the eyes of thy mercy; comfort him with
a sense of thy goodness; preserve him from the temptations
of the enemy; and give him patience under his affliction. In
thy good time, restore him to health, and enable him to lead
the residue of his life in thy fear, and to thy glory; and grant
that he may dwell with thee in life everlasting; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Recovery from Sickness
O God of heavenly powers, by the might of your command
you drive away from our bodies all sickness and all infirmity:
Be present in your goodness with your servant (name), that his
weakness may be banished and his strength restored; and that,
his health being renewed, he may bless your holy Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For a Sick Child
Heavenly Father, watch with us over your child (name), and grant
that he may be restored to that perfect health which it is
yours alone to give; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Before an Operation
Strengthen your servant (name), O God, to do what he has to do
and bear what he has to bear; that, accepting your healing
gifts through the skill of surgeons and nurses, he may be
restored to usefulness in your world with a thankful heart; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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