10 Prayers for Surgery and How to Support Your Loved Ones 

Surgeries have unfortunately become a rather common occurrence for most families. Globally, an astonishing 310 million major surgeries are performed yearly, around 40 to 50 million in the USA and 20 million in Europe.

Although we sometimes feel helpless in anticipation of the surgery, we should not forget the power of prayer and the providence of God to guide the surgeons and heal all our infirmities.

Prayer is one of the most beautiful ways we can show love and care for someone, especially during something as nerve-wracking as surgery. It’s our chance to ask God for His help, comfort, and protection—not just for the one undergoing surgery but for ourselves and their loved ones too. There’s something incredibly powerful about coming to God in prayer and entrusting our fears and hopes to Him.

If you’re looking for ways to support someone through prayer, consider praying with them directly. Whether you’re sitting by their side, talking on the phone, or even connecting over a video call, praying together can bring an incredible sense of peace and connection. If you can’t be with them in person, writing a prayer in a card or letter can also mean so much—it’s a tangible reminder that they’re covered in prayer and love. Don’t forget to pray with their family and friends too. Sometimes those closest to the patient need just as much comfort as the patient themselves.

Praying for a successful surgery helps to calm anxious hearts and nerves. It reminds us to trust that God is in control and that His hands are guiding the doctors, nurses, and everyone involved. If you’re unsure where to start, simply ask God for His presence, protection, and peace to surround your loved one.

I hope these prayers for surgery bring you and your loved ones a sense of calm, hope, and trust in the One who holds everything in His hands. Surgery is never easy, but knowing that God is near can bring comfort in ways nothing else can. Together, let’s rest in the truth that He is our protector, healer, and guide.

Table of Contents

• Anointing the Sick
• Prayer for Medical Team and Surgeons
• Prayer for a Friend Before Surgery
• Personal Prayer Before Surgery
• For Protection and Safety
• Prayer for Comfort and Strength in Healing
• A Prayer for Full Recovery From Surgery
• Healing Bible Verses
• How to Help A Loved One Before, During, After Surgery

A Short Prayer Before Surgery

Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Healer of our souls and bodies. Please guide the hearts, minds, and hands of all the doctors, nurses, and aids in [Name]’s surgery. May You lead them with Your grace and mercy in all their work to heal [Name]. Amen

A Prayer for Anointing the Sick

Father God, We come before You with hearts full of faith, trusting in Your power and mercy. You are the Creator and Sustainer of all life, the One who brings healing and hope to the brokenhearted. Today, we anoint [Name] with oil as a symbol of Your presence, Your healing touch, and Your promise to be near to those who call on You.

Lord, we ask that You pour out Your Spirit on [Name]. Bring strength to their body, peace to their mind, and comfort to their soul. Where there is pain, we ask for relief; where there is weakness, we ask for Your strength. Your Word tells us that “the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up” (James 5:15). We stand on that promise now, asking for Your divine intervention and complete healing.

Father, we also ask for peace to surround [Name]. Let them feel Your presence in a profound way. May Your love drive out all fear and fill them with hope, knowing that You are their refuge and strength. Comfort their heart and remind them that You are a faithful God who never leaves or forsakes us.

We thank You, Lord, for being our Great Physician and the One who holds all things together. Whatever the outcome, we trust in Your perfect will and timing. May Your name be glorified in this situation, and may [Name] be encouraged by the love and care of those around them. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Healer, we pray. Amen.

Prayer for the Medical Team and Surgeons

Heavenly Father, We come before you today with hearts full of hope and trust. We lift up [Name], who is about to undergo surgery. We pray for Your guidance and wisdom to be with the medical team, giving them skill and compassion. Lord, be with [Name] during this procedure. Surround them with Your peace and comfort, and grant them the assurance that You are by their side.

We place [Name]'s well-being into Your loving hands, trusting in Your perfect plan. We ask for a successful surgery, a smooth recovery, and complete healing according to Your divine will. May Your presence be a source of strength for [Name] and all those who love and care for them. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Prayer for a Friend before Surgery

Dear Lord, my friend is about to undergo a very delicate surgery. Just thinking about the operation makes me very worried for his well-being. But Lord, I trust that You are sovereign. You are in control of this situation. My friend’s life is in Your hands. I ask that You surround me with Your peace so that I may not worry and that You also touch my friend with Your powerful healing hands.  Bless the surgeons so that every move they make will serve to help my friend’s ailing body.  At the end of it all, thank You, Lord, for the healing you will impart to my friend. Thank You for giving him an additional opportunity to live his life. Thank You for the extra time I will be able to spend with him, and Thank You that he will be able to spend time with me again soon. All these I ask in Your Name, Amen.

Prayer For God's Help in Surgery

O Lord, We give ourselves to You and ask for Your help. Please comfort and help (Name) as they undergo surgery. You are our creator and have given us life. All things are in your hands. Please grant (Name) a successful surgery so that they may make a full recovery and continue to glorify you. Bless the work of the surgeons, doctors, and nurses, and please help them to heal (Name). Let us remember your words in Isaiah 41:10: "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed." In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

A Personal Prayer Before Surgery

Most loving Heavenly Father, I commit my physical body to You today as I undergo surgery. Please guide the hands of the surgeons. Thank You, Father, for giving them the skills and talents to heal the sick and bring hope to the dying.  Thank You for giving them sharp minds and calm hearts so that they can perform the operation without causing harm to my body. 

I trust, God, that You are my Healer. You alone have the power to take away this pain I have. I believe no disease is more powerful than You, O God. After the surgery is done, thank You, God, for You will grant me restored health. Thank You for another chance at life so that I may continue to serve You and give glory to Your Name. As I go on with my life after surgery, I ask You always to enable me to be salt and light to those around me. Help me to live my life in accordance with Your will. Be with me in this operation, and be with the doctors especially. In Your Name, I ask all these things, Amen.

Prayer for Protection and Safety - Trusting in God's Protection

Dear Heavenly Father, As we face this moment of surgery, we come to You with hearts that trust in Your unfailing love and protection. Lord, You are our refuge and strength, the One who watches over us in every situation. Right now, we lift up [Name] to You, asking for Your mighty hand to cover them with peace and safety. Surround [Name] with Your presence, Lord, calming their heart and reminding them that they are never alone.

Father, we trust in Your promises. Your Word says, “The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121:8). We hold tightly to that assurance, knowing You are with [Name] in this operating room and beyond. Protect their body, mind, and spirit as they undergo this procedure, and bring them through it safely.

We ask for a smooth and successful surgery and for a quick and complete recovery. Thank You for being our shield, our healer, and our comforter. We surrender this situation to You, confident that Your plans are good and Your presence is near. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Prayer for Peace and Success

Lord, we ask for Your peace to surround [Name], calming any fear or anxiety they may feel. Remind them that You are with them, holding them in Your loving hands. May Your presence be a source of strength and comfort, both during the procedure and throughout their recovery.

We also ask for a completely successful surgery, and a smooth and speedy healing process. Restore their body, renew their spirit, and strengthen their faith as they walk through this time. Thank You for being the Great Physician and the source of all hope and healing. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Prayer for Comfort and Strength in Healing

Dear God, We ask you to comfort (Name) and their family. As (Name) undergoes surgery, grant strength and comfort to their family to uplift each other through these uneasy hours.  O God, we know you are with us always, but we ask you to be especially close to us today.  We trust in you, O Lord, and may it be according to Thy will. Amen.

Prayer to Hope in Complete Healing

Dear Loving Father and Savior, I come to You with a heart full of hope, trusting in Your power to heal and restore. You are the Great Physician, the One who knit us together in the womb and knows every detail of our being. Lord, I place [Name] in Your hands, believing that You are able to bring complete healing and renewal.

Your Word tells us, “For I am the Lord who heals you” (Exodus 15:26), and I cling to that promise today. Whether the healing comes quickly or through a journey of time and care, I pray for patience and steadfast hope. Strengthen [Name] with the knowledge that You are walking with them every step of the way.

Lord, I ask for peace in moments of uncertainty, comfort in times of pain, and joy in small victories along the path to recovery. Help [Name] to trust in Your perfect timing and to find strength in Your presence. Surround them with the love and support of others, and let them see glimpses of Your goodness even in the midst of this challenge. Thank You for being a God who hears our prayers and holds us in Your hands. We trust in Your healing power and believe in the hope You give, knowing that Your plans for us are always good. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Prayers for Your Surgery

Take Refuge in the Lord

Heavenly Father, I take refuge in Your unfailing promises as I undergo this surgery. Protect my physical body as the surgeon operates on me. Let Your Spirit be with the surgeon, Lord, that he may help me restore to good health once again. I trust that You are my healer, God, and it is only through You that my health will be restored. 

Father, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, allow me to be not afraid. Be my comfort. Let Your goodness and mercy follow me, even through this surgery. Please be with me at this time when I am most vulnerable. Grant me peace of mind that I may not worry. In Your Name, I ask all these, Amen.

Entrust Your Life to God

Dearest Lord, I entrust my life to You today as I go on the operating table. May Your hand be upon the surgeons and doctors who will do the operation. Allow them to act as extensions of Your healing hands. Enable them to be the instruments that will help me recover my strength.

As I fall asleep from the anesthetic, I ask You to be with me always. Allow me to feel Your presence. Let Your peace surround me even as I am unconscious. I trust in Your promise, God, that when I call to you for help, you will heal me. All these things I ask in Your Name, Amen.

Grant Me Rest in Your Peace

Heavenly Father, the author of life, thank You that I am able to undergo this life-saving operation. Thank You for the doctors, nurses, and surgeons who will serve as channels of Your healing for me today. Thank You for blessing them with intelligent minds that know exactly what to do, steady hands that can gently help repair my body, and compassionate hearts that always put their patients first.

As this operation takes place, God, I ask that You oversee every moment of it. Help the surgeons to do no harm to my body. Enable me to rest in Your peace, God, as I await a full recovery soon. I am forever grateful to You for giving me another chance at life. I commit all aspects of this surgery to You, Lord, for You oversee everything. In Your Name, I pray, Amen.

Prayer for Healing while Hospitalized

Gracious Father, all health and healing are gifts from your hand. We pray for {Name}, give their doctors and nurses the wisdom and skill as they work for healing. While they wait and face many unknowns, calm all doubts and fears with the Word of your promise that nothing can separate us from your love that is ours in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:39). Speed their healing if it is your will, and give them extra patience as they wait for you to work all these things for their good (Romans 8:28) through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Source: Paul C. Stratman

Prayer for Recovery after Surgery

Heavenly Father, Please relieve the pain of (Name) and help them recover well. Please lay your hands on them, grant them mercy, and remove their pain with your healing power. Almighty God, we cast our cares onto you. In the name of Jesus, please grant our healing prayer. Amen.

Healing Bible Verse to Meditate on

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." (Psalm 56:3)

"Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

How to Help a Loved One Through Surgery

Supporting a loved one through surgery can feel overwhelming, but your care and presence can make a world of difference in their comfort and recovery. Here are some personal, practical, and faith-filled ways to walk alongside them during this challenging time.

Pray and Offer Spiritual Encouragement

Prayer is one of the most powerful ways you can support your loved one. Take time to pray together for their surgery and recovery, asking God for peace, guidance, and healing. Share Bible verses like Isaiah 41:10 or Psalm 34:17-18 to remind them of God’s love and care. You might even write a short prayer or favorite Scripture on a card for them to keep nearby as a source of comfort.

Help with Transportation and Practical Needs

Offer to drive them to and from the hospital or surgical center and assist with practical preparations, like packing an overnight bag or organizing their recovery space. Small acts of service—running errands, making meals, or keeping track of post-op appointments—can ease their burden and reflect Christ’s love in action.

Manage Medications and Provide Compassionate Care

After surgery, medication schedules can feel overwhelming. Help them stay on track by organizing reminders or writing down instructions from their doctor. Show compassion and patience as they heal, remembering that the care you provide mirrors God’s heart for serving others.

Create a Healing Environment

Set up a peaceful recovery space at home where they can rest and feel supported. Add thoughtful touches like cozy blankets, calming music, or even Christian symbols—like a cross or a favorite verse—to remind them of God’s presence and peace during this time of healing.

Encourage Faith and Perseverance

Recovery can be frustrating, especially when progress feels slow. Encourage your loved one to trust God’s timing and lean into His strength. Share verses about perseverance and hope, such as Philippians 4:13 or Romans 8:28. Remind them that healing is a process, but God is with them every step of the way.

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This article is part of our prayer resources meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.

Prayers for Healing
Morning Prayers
Prayers for Family
Prayers for Surgery

Prayers for Strength
Night Prayers Before Bed
Prayers for Protection
The Lord's Prayer: Our Father