Bible Verses for the Sick: Healing and Comfort in Illness

At a hospital bed or in a get-well card, one short verse often says more than a page of words. Here are 10 Bible verses for healing and comfort, from the Berean Standard Bible, followed by practical ideas for visiting and writing to someone who is ill.

Bible verses for healing

Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me, and I will be saved, for You are my praise. (Jeremiah 17:14, BSB)

Jeremiah’s own prayer. You can pray it on behalf of someone else.

The LORD will sustain him on his bed of illness and restore him from his bed of sickness. (Psalm 41:3, BSB)

The psalm opens with "Blessed is the one who cares for the poor" (41:1) and goes on to the psalmist’s own prayer for healing (41:4).

Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7, BSB)

Bible verses for comfort in illness

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26, BSB)

It does not ask the sick person to be strong. It says God is their strength.

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:2, BSB)

Psalm 121 is only eight verses long, short enough to read in full at a bedside.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit. (Psalm 34:18, BSB)

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10, BSB)

A good verse before surgery, a scan or waiting for results.

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28, BSB)

Also a kind verse for a caregiver who is worn out.

Verses for a long illness

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16, BSB)

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9, BSB)

Paul writes that he "pleaded with the Lord" three times to take away his "thorn in my flesh" (12:7–8), and this was the answer. When someone is not getting better, this verse meets them where they are.

Visiting someone in the hospital

• Ask first. Text the patient or family to ask when is a good time, or whether a video call would be easier.
• Keep it short. Fifteen to twenty minutes is usually plenty. If you have a cold, send a message instead.
• Follow the hospital’s rules on visiting hours, hand washing and masks.
• Listen more than you talk. Let them decide whether to talk about their illness.
• Ask before you pray. "Would you like me to pray with you?" Then keep it to a minute or two.

What to say, and what to avoid

Things that help:

• "I’ve been thinking about you and praying for you."
• "Can I drive you to an appointment or pick up groceries this week?"
• "No need to reply. Just rest."

Things to avoid:

• "You’ll definitely get better." No one can promise that.
• Any hint that the illness comes from sin or not enough faith.
• Home remedies, supplements or advice to stop treatment. Leave medical decisions to their doctors.

What to write in a get-well card

Three parts are enough: one line of care, one verse and one specific offer.

• "Thinking of you this week. ‘My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.’ (Psalm 121:2) I’ll drop off dinner on Thursday."
• "Praying for a smooth recovery after your surgery. ‘Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.’ (1 Peter 5:7) Text me when you need a ride home."
• "You’ve been caring for your mom for months. ‘Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’ (Matthew 11:28) I can sit with her on Saturday afternoon."

If you are writing by hand, practice the verse once on a free lined page so you know where the lines will break.

Related

For words to pray, see these short prayers for healing, work and strength, including a prayer before surgery and a prayer for a long illness.

These verses are offered as comfort. They are not medical advice, so please follow the guidance of doctors and nurses.

Penned Grace lets you write scripture by hand, letter by letter, on iPhone, iPad or Android, with your finger or Apple Pencil. It is free to download.

For a card to someone going through a hard season, see Bible verses for encouragement cards. If someone has died, see sympathy Bible verses for cards.