Prayers & scripture

Bible verses by need: healing, strength, comfort and funerals

Find the right verse fast. Choose a need, read the exact text with its reference and translation, then copy it, send it or print it.

By Jon Horton · Updated October 25, 2026

Choose a scripture finder

Bible verses for healing and strength
30 verses on strength, peace, healing of the body, fear before surgery, God’s presence and recovery.
Open the healing finder →
Bible verses for funerals
33 readings on resurrection, comfort, rest, heaven, a mother, a father, a believer and a sudden loss, with suggested reading sets.
Open the funeral finder →

Six verses people reach for first

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Psalm 23 · King James Version (KJV)
Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:10 · World English Bible (WEB)
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
John 14:27 · World English Bible (WEB)
Heal me, Yahweh, and I will be healed. Save me, and I will be saved; for you are my praise.
Jeremiah 17:14 · World English Bible (WEB)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even if he dies. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25–26 · World English Bible (WEB)
He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away.
Revelation 21:4 · World English Bible (WEB)

How to choose a verse

A good verse fits the moment and the person. For someone in a hospital bed, a short verse about God’s nearness (Psalm 46:1, Isaiah 41:10) often does more than a long passage. For a funeral, the reading usually has a little more room, and families often choose something that sounds like the person: the shepherd psalm for a gentle father, the Proverbs 31 portrait for a mother who ran a household.

Sick or recovering. Start with Bible verses for healing and strength. Pair a verse with a short prayer from the prayer for healing page.
Facing surgery. Choose from the “fear and anxiety before surgery” group, then add a hospital prayer.
Planning a funeral. See Bible verses for funerals for readings by theme, and the order of service for where each one fits.
Writing a card. One verse, one line of your own. Don’t explain it.

Why only public-domain translations

Every verse here comes from a public-domain translation: the World English Bible (WEB), a modern-English update of the American Standard Version; the King James Version (KJV), whose wording many people know by heart; and, for one Catholic funeral reading, the Douay-Rheims. That means you can copy, print and share them freely, and put them in a funeral program or a card without asking permission. Each verse names its translation, and the text is quoted exactly.

Pairing scripture with prayer

Christians have always prayed the Bible back to God. A verse can open a prayer, close it or sit in the middle. Our prayer library includes prayers drawn directly from the Psalms, such as “Heal me, Lord” (from Psalm 6, Psalm 30 and Jeremiah 17), and a prayer from Psalm 41 for the sick. Read the verse slowly, once aloud, then pray what it says in your own words.

Common questions

What Bible verse is best for someone who is sick?

Isaiah 41:10 (“Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you”), Psalm 46:1 (“God is our refuge and strength”) and Jeremiah 17:14 (“Heal me, Yahweh, and I will be healed”) are among the most used. Our healing page groups thirty by theme, so you can pick one for strength, peace or the night before surgery.

What Bible verses are read at funerals?

The most common are Psalm 23, John 11:25–26, John 14:1–3, Romans 8:38–39, 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14, Revelation 21:4 and 1 Corinthians 15. Our funeral page organizes thirty readings by theme, including verses for a mother, a father, a believer and a sudden loss.

Which Bible translations do you use?

Only public-domain ones: the World English Bible (WEB) for most verses, the King James Version (KJV) where its wording is the one people love, and, for one reading from the Wisdom of Solomon, the Douay-Rheims. Each verse names its translation, and they can be copied, printed and shared freely.

Can I print these verses in a funeral program or card?

Public-domain translations such as the KJV and WEB can be printed in programs, cards and bulletins without permission. Modern translations like the NIV, ESV and NRSV are copyrighted and have limits on quotation. That is why this site sticks to public-domain texts.

Why does the WEB say “Yahweh” where my Bible says “LORD”?

The World English Bible renders God’s personal name from the Hebrew as “Yahweh.” The KJV and many other translations print it as “the LORD” in capitals. They are the same name in the original. We keep each translation’s own wording and mark it on every verse.