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What is the strongest prayer for the sick?translated

September 9, 2026 · 1 min read

When a loved one is sick, we are ready to look for any means, any methods, just so that recovery occurs as quickly as possible. Are there really any special prayers for healing the sick?

First of all, you need to understand that in the Church there is no gradation of prayers based on “effectiveness.” The very posing of the question of the “most powerful” prayer is fraught with the danger of a magical attitude towards prayer as a spell. The true power of prayer lies in the faith with which it is pronounced and in trust in the will of God. Christ said: whatever you ask in prayer in faith, receive (Matthew 21:22).

Prayer should be “from the heart”, sincere - it doesn’t matter whether you pray in your own words or read an akathist to Saint Panteleimon from a collection of akathists. And prayer must also be supported by personal spiritual effort, because what is important to God is not the words themselves, but the state of our soul. Prayer without internal work on oneself is like a vessel without content: the form is there, but the essence is not.

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Source: Журнал ФОМА · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (4) 🌐 Show original

Franziska Hoffmann

Yes, that’s exactly what the “magic relationship” always bothered me about. When my son was lying with a high fever last winter, I initially just read the Akathist to Panteleimon like a recipe - and only when I stopped expecting something “strong” and simply prayed out of concern and love did things calm down. Thanks for the clear pointer.

Стефан Ристески

Yes, exactly as it says about "magical relationship". When my father had pneumonia last fall, the first days I just repeated the akathist of Panteleimon like a formula and was annoyed that he didn't get better right away. As soon as I started praying in my own words and trying not to just ask for "it will pass quickly", then something changed in both me and him. Thank God.

Theresa Wagner

Yes, the magic ratio thing is exactly right. When my little daughter was so feverish last month, I first just read the Akathist to Panteleimon like a recipe and became really impatient. Only when I stopped expecting something “strong” and simply prayed from my heart in my own words did things calm down – for her and for me. Thanks for the article.

Јасмина Стојановска

Да, Стефане, точно го фати онаа работа со „формула“. И јас кога ќерка ми беше со бронхитис лани, прво само го вртев акафистот како на лента и се љутев зошто не помага. Штом почнав да зборувам со Бога како со човек и да се трудам да не се нервирам на температурата, тогаш и таа се подобри побрзо. Благодарам на Бога што нè учи преку болеста.