Liturgy for Blessing Nurses

Liturgy for Blessing Nurses

© James C. Johnson, 2010

Invocation

Blessed are you O God in glory above all in heaven and on earth: We thank you for what you have done in the creation, preservation, redemption, and governance of the world.

We thank you for graciously calling each of us to join you in your work by loving and serving others. We thank you for bringing to us those in need of care and healing, and for enabling us to minister to them.

Today we thank you especially for the dedication, discipline, and diligence of these ____ nurses. We thank you for calling them to this ministry -- the profession of nursing, and for guiding and strengthening them in this pursuit. We thank you for the education and training that they have received, and for the knowledge and the skill that they have acquired. We celebrate with you, O God, what they have accomplished in attaining their ____ degrees.

We ask you now, O God, to join us in blessing them. We ask that your blessing may go with them and bless their work. Let them be a blessing, and convey your blessing, to their patients and to their co-workers.

Today we celebrate what these, your servants, have accomplished, and we rejoice in what they will do in the days ahead, until that day when you bring all good work to completion in your eternal community.

Amen.

Individual Blessing of Hands

In the Name of God, Compassionate and Merciful, Almighty and Righteous,

I bless you.

I anoint your hands that you may have subtle strength and sure skill

as you touch others with God’s Grace.

May your fingers feel the pulse of blood through arteries

and also sense the movement of emotions in the spirit.

May your touch bring comfort to the body

as well as solace to the soul.

May you always be adept with needle

and astute with pen.

God bless the work of your hands

and God bless you

Now and always,

AMEN.

Prayer

God of healing, wholeness, and holiness:

These nurses reflect your glory

In ability and knowledge

In passion and compassion

In strength and tenderness.

We praise you for them,

And we honor them today.

We ask you to watch over them,

To give them your Spirit,

To strengthen them in the practice of their profession

And to be for them a source of hope and joy.

We pledge our prayerful and practical support

To them and to their work.

We pray that as they work to cure,

Speak to instruct or soothe,

And touch to heal with your love and power

That they may be renewed, blessed, and fulfilled.

Lay your strong and gentle hand upon them,

Now and always,

Amen.

Mutual Blessing

In the Spirit of the Gospel,

We have been called together

To heal body, mind, and spirit

And to improve the health of our community.

May God enable you to --

> Show Respect for others

> Act Justly toward all

> Be Compassionate at all times

> Care for the Needy

> and Bring Healing, Wholeness, and Health

to all those entrusted to your care.

My Colleagues: Celebrate and Continue in Excellence!

Benediction

You have touched us, O God, with your blessing.

Let your hand of blessing remain upon us:

To lead us forward in your path

To strengthen us in your work

And to fill us with your joy

Give us now that gift that you have promised to all your friends

Give us your Peace

Now and always

AMEN