A Prayer for Children: When Someone Is Sick

This monthly column is to help parents, grandparents, and teachers introduce children to spiritual topics in the context of prayer. It includes a prayer for adults, one for children and adults to share, and a short affirmation for children to remember and take with them.

Many Ways to Pray and Love

Oh, my! Someone is sick! How do we pray with our children in times like that?

Whether it’s a friend with the flu, a relative in the hospital, a grandparent in hospice, or health issues that seem scary, we can guide our children into prayers that bless the person and soothe the child. In Unity, we pray from an understanding of our innate wholeness and oneness with God, the divine nature that is in us all. Rather than calling upon a God “out there,” we can focus on Spirit within, a source of comfort, strength, and well-being.

When a child is worried about someone, it’s important to listen to their concerns or fears and to honor their feelings. Some children may not be verbalizing their worries. When we pray with them, we help create a safe space to express emotions, find comfort, and send love to the person experiencing illness.

Perhaps ask the child, “What does healthy feel like to you?” Suggest picturing that version of health, focusing on wellness, not sickness, for the dear one. As you pray together, imagine the person receiving your love, sensing your prayer, feeling better and smiling.

Add some joy! Consider sending imaginary twinkles, sparkles, mystical fairy dust, or some fireflies to light up their room.

Here are other ways to help a young child prepare for prayer.

• Imagine playing and laughing with that friend.
• Picture yourself reading with your (abuela, sibling, bestie, other).
• Talk to your dear one as if they were with you in person: Great-cousin Kim, here’s a poem I’ll read to you; or Shante, listen to this cool joke!

Ask the child if there’s a special way they want to pray. You can also pause and ask for divine guidance on how to pray.

If you and/or the child you’re praying with are aware of a dear one’s seeming end-of-life illness or hospice stay, schedule regular reminders to call and to send cards and notes that recall treasured memories.

If someone is seriously ill or injured, when worry and fear seem louder than prayer, consider a prayer of deep silence. Hold the prayer recipient and whomever you’re praying with in a wrap of heart-centered, profound love. Let all the feelings flow. Remember that God is with you and your loved ones.

Prayers don’t guarantee total physical healing, but we can envision the recipients of our prayers feeling better, be it for a moment or forever. Prayers do make a difference—for others and for us.

More steps:

• Place a picture of the loved one or their name on paper where it can be seen and blessed every day.
• Send handmade cards. Mention a favorite memory. Add lots of hugs and kisses.
• Pick a time each day to pause and say, “Grandma (or other name), I’m thinking of you.”

A Prayer for All Children When Someone Is Sick

I quiet my mind, put aside any worries, and pray for my dear ones. I send love from my heart to theirs. I picture them wrapped in divine love—healthy, strong, and feeling better today and every day.

A Shared Family Prayer When Someone Is Sick

We pause and feel love flowing from ourselves to our beloveds. We picture them smiling and feeling the presence of God in all areas of their lives. We behold them as the strong, resilient, and radiant beings they truly are. We give thanks for the power of prayer.

Together we affirm:

Did you know? All children are welcome to pray with Unity Prayer Ministry associates.

For more about methods of affirmative prayer, read How to Pray Without Talking to God by Linda Martella-Whitsett.