Prayers & scripture

Bible verses for healing and strength: 30 verses for hard seasons

The best Bible verses for healing and strength, grouped by what you’re facing: sickness, surgery, a long recovery. Read the exact text, then copy it, send it as a text or use it in a card.

By Jon Horton · Updated October 25, 2026

30 Bible verses for healing and strength

Strength

For the days when you are worn out and still have to keep going.

but those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 · World English Bible (WEB)
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I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 · World English Bible (WEB)
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The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
Psalm 28:7 · King James Version (KJV)
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He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 · World English Bible (WEB)
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My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26 · World English Bible (WEB)
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Peace

For a mind that won't settle at night, or a house full of worry.

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)
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In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6–7 · World English Bible (WEB)
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You will keep whoever’s mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3 · World English Bible (WEB)
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In peace I will both lay myself down and sleep, for you, Yahweh, alone make me live in safety.
Psalm 4:8 · World English Bible (WEB)
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In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
Psalm 94:19 · King James Version (KJV)
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Healing of body

Scripture that names God as the one who heals. Good for a card or a bedside.

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)
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Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.
Psalm 103:2–3 · King James Version (KJV)
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Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
James 5:14–15 · King James Version (KJV)
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He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3 · World English Bible (WEB)
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For I will restore health to you, and I will heal you of your wounds, says Yahweh.
Jeremiah 30:17 · World English Bible (WEB)
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Then they cry to Yahweh in their trouble, and he saves them out of their distresses. He sends his word, and heals them, and delivers them from their graves.
Psalm 107:19–20 · World English Bible (WEB)
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Fear and anxiety before surgery

For the night before an operation, a scan or a hard appointment.

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)
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What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Psalm 56:3 · King James Version (KJV)
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Yahweh is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Yahweh is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 · World English Bible (WEB)
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casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 · World English Bible (WEB)
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Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 · World English Bible (WEB)
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God's presence

For the lonely hours in a hospital room or a long illness.

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)
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When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Isaiah 43:2 · King James Version (KJV)
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God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1 · World English Bible (WEB)
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I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from Yahweh, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1–2 · World English Bible (WEB)
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Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.
Psalm 34:18 · World English Bible (WEB)
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Recovery

For the slow weeks of getting better, when progress is small.

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.
3 John 2 · World English Bible (WEB)
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Yahweh my God, I cried to you, and you have healed me.
Psalm 30:2 · World English Bible (WEB)
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A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 · World English Bible (WEB)
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It is because of Yahweh’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn’t fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22–23 · World English Bible (WEB)
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Get a printable prayer card to go with these verses

Pair a verse with a short prayer on a card you can print, sign and slip into an envelope or a hospital bag.

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The Bible has a great deal to say to people who are sick, afraid or worn out. These Bible verses for healing and strength are chosen for particular moments: the evening before an operation, the long weeks after a fall, the silence at 3 a.m. in a hospital chair. Each verse is quoted exactly from a public-domain translation, with its reference and the translation named.

How to use a verse when someone is sick

Send one, not five. A single verse with a line of your own (“Thinking of you.”) is gentler than a list.
Put it where they’ll see it. On a card at the bedside, a sticky note on a mirror, a text they can reread at night.
Read it aloud, slowly. A verse spoken in a quiet voice reaches someone too tired to read.
Turn it into a prayer. Read the verse, then pray it back: “Lord, you said you would strengthen me. Do it today.”
Memorize one. A verse you know by heart is available when your phone is not, in the MRI tube or the ambulance.

Choosing by situation

Situation	Start with
New diagnosis	Fear and anxiety: Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 27:1
Night before surgery	Fear and anxiety: Psalm 56:3, 1 Peter 5:7
Hospital stay	God’s presence: Psalm 23, Psalm 121
Treatment fatigue	Strength: Isaiah 40:31, 2 Corinthians 12:9
Can’t sleep	Peace: Psalm 4:8, Philippians 4:6–7
Slow recovery	Recovery: Lamentations 3:22–23, Proverbs 17:22
Praying for healing	Healing of body: Jeremiah 17:14, Psalm 147:3

What Scripture says about healing

Healing runs through the Bible. God heals in the Old Testament, Jesus heals throughout the Gospels, and he sends his followers to do the same. The Psalms keep asking: “Heal me, and I will be healed.” James tells the sick to call the church’s elders to pray and anoint with oil.

The Bible is also honest that not everyone is healed in the way they hoped. Paul asked three times that a “thorn in the flesh” be removed, and heard: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” The psalmists cry out in lament for pages before they find peace. That is why the finder above includes verses about God’s presence and strength alongside verses about healing. They are for the times when healing is slow.

About the translations

Every verse is from a public-domain translation, and the translation is named under the text. Most are the World English Bible (WEB), a modern update of the American Standard Version. Where the King James Version (KJV) has the wording people know best, as in Psalm 23, we use that instead. The WEB prints God’s name as “Yahweh”; the KJV prints it as “the LORD.” Because both are public domain, you can copy, share and print these verses freely.

Reading a verse at a bedside

Ask if they’d like to hear something from the Bible.
Sit where they can see you without straining.
Say the reference first: “This is Psalm 46, verse 1.”
Read slowly. Pause after each sentence.
Stay quiet for a moment afterward. Let them respond or not.
If they like, follow with a short prayer from the short healing prayers.

More on bedside visits, including how to read and when to leave, is in our pastoral care guide. For prayers to pair with scripture, see prayer for healing and prayer for someone in the hospital.

Common questions

What is the best Bible verse for healing and strength?

For strength, Isaiah 40:31 and Philippians 4:13 are the most loved. For healing, Jeremiah 17:14, Psalm 147:3 and James 5:14–15. For comfort in a hospital room, Psalm 46:1 and Isaiah 41:10 say the most in the fewest words. All are in the finder above with the exact text.

What Bible verse can I send to someone who is sick?

Choose one short verse and add a line of your own: “Thinking of you. ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.’ (Psalm 46:1)” Press “Send as a text” under any verse above and your messages app opens with the verse and its reference ready to go.

What is a good Bible verse for before surgery?

Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 56:3, Psalm 27:1 and 1 Peter 5:7 are the ones people reach for most. Read one slowly the night before, once more in the morning, and again in the waiting room if you’re the family. See the “fear and anxiety before surgery” group above.

Does the Bible promise that God will heal everyone?

The Bible shows God healing many people, and it also shows faithful people who were not healed. Paul asked three times for relief from a “thorn in the flesh” and was told, “My grace is sufficient for you.” Christians pray for healing and trust God with the outcome. Verses about God’s presence and strength are for the times when healing is slow.

What does James 5:14–15 mean?

James tells the sick to call the elders of the church, who pray over them and anoint them with oil in the Lord’s name. Many churches practice this: Catholic and Orthodox through the Anointing of the Sick and Holy Unction, and many Protestant churches through elders’ prayer. The verse does not guarantee a particular outcome; it describes the church’s response to the sick.

Which translation is best for these verses?

We use the World English Bible for clear modern wording and the King James Version where its phrasing is the one people know by heart, such as Psalm 23. Both are public domain, so you can print them in cards or programs without asking permission.