Each of us eventually follows a vocation in our lives. Every person has a different vocation that they want to pursue. There are many reasons why a person chooses a specific vocation. One reason could be the money or income they may receive when working in that particular industry or field. Another possible reason is genuine interest in that industry or field. If a person loves cooking, they could choose to be a chef or a baker. A person who loves computers may want to become a programmer or a computer engineer. However, it is not money or income that drives a Christian to follow a particular vocation. Of course, they choose a career in the industry or field in which they are interested, but instead of money, it is the desire to be able to bless other people and be the salt and light to the world that drives them towards choosing their vocation. Suppose you are a nurse or are planning to study nursing. In that case, many opportunities come along with your profession where you can minister to people.
You can pray this simple prayer as you pray for your heart when getting into or working in the field of nursing:
Heavenly Father, I pray that more than the income, what will motivate me to work as a nurse (or study to become a nurse) is the opportunity to help other people and be the salt and light for them. I pray that I will be an excellent nurse, not for an increase in salary or promotion, but to be able to serve others better by being excellent at what I do. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
A Career of Nursing Prayer
Is nursing a calling from God?
Some careers seem to be a clear calling from God, including vocations like being a pastor, teacher, or missionary (James 3:1)(Ephesians 4:11-16)(Acts 13:2)(Mark 3:14–19)(Exodus 28:1). However, aside from vocations that involve the church, God also calls people into specific vocations through His guidance and providence. For example, suppose a person is gifted with intellect. In that case, God can call that person into the field of science to witness Christ to those scientists who are atheists. It would be the same if God called you to become a nurse. Necessary gifts are always present when God calls you into something. Sometimes, Christians are also free to choose the vocation they want, so long as it is within God’s will. Meaning, it is a vocation that honors God and does not do anything evil. It is a matter of being wise when choosing the best vocation to pursue. As we decide, we should consider the aptitudes and gifts that we already have. Why get into accountancy if your aptitudes are for writing music? This is why we should seek counsel from other people and ask God for wisdom (James 1:5)(Psalm 119:105)(Proverbs 11:14)(Proverbs 12:15). However, one thing is certain. If you find yourself working as a nurse, it’s no accident that you are there (Proverbs 19:21)(Job 42:2)(Proverbs 16:9)(Proverbs 16:33)(Ephesians 1:11). You are there because God wanted you to be there. He has a purpose for you, which is why you are working as a nurse or studying to become a nurse. We should ask ourselves, “How can I serve God better as a nurse?”. Remember that when you work as a nurse, you ultimately work for God, not for the hospital or other humans (Colossians 3:23-24)(1 Corinthians 10:31).
Why is prayer important in nursing?
Nursing is not a simple vocation. It is a kind of vocation that requires a lot from you. One key element is that you have to be knowledgeable and understand what you are doing. Excellence and diligence are very important for a nurse because mistakes can cause harm to a patient, and to the nurse itself. That is why, if you are studying to become a nurse, you must master your subjects and skills. If you are already a nurse, remember always to keep yourself on top of the game. Here is a prayer you can pray as you strive for excellence as a nurse:
Heavenly Father, give me the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding beyond measure when it comes to nursing so that I may always be excellent in everything that I do as a nurse, so that I can serve other people well. Give me grace as I learn and refresh the essential things I need to know as a nurse. As a Christian, help me to set a good example for others when it comes to being proficient. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
A Career of Nursing Prayer
Another important thing to pray for as a nurse is your own safety and protection. You may have to care for patients with contagious or deadly diseases. Accidents may also happen in hospitals that can cause you harm. You can pray this prayer for general protection as you work as a nurse:
Heavenly Father, I pray that You will protect me from any sickness or disease that I may be exposed to while performing my duties and responsibilities as a nurse. Protect me from accidents that may cause me harm. I pray that no accidents shall happen and that all staff members in the hospital will exercise due diligence. I thank You, Lord, because You are my dwelling place. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
A Career of Nursing Prayer
How do you pray with patients?
As mentioned before, being a nurse is an excellent opportunity to be the salt and light to the world (Matthew 5:13-16)(Matthew 28:16-20). Aside from showing mercy and care for sick people, you can preach the Gospel to them, which is the ultimate cure they need. No medicine can cure the problem of sin, which causes eternal death. Another thing that you could pray for your patients is healing. God can use science and medicine to heal people, but science and medicine are limited. There are sicknesses that medicine cannot cure, but God can (Luke 18:27). That is where you can pray for healing upon a patient as you preach the Gospel to them.
You can pray this prayer as you minister to your patients:
Heavenly Father, I thank You because You have sent Jesus to die for our sins on the cross. In Christ, we have joy that can never be taken away from us. In Him, we are healed and saved from being spiritually dead. In Christ, we have eternal life. Give us the grace to repent from our life of sin and believe who Christ is and what He has done for us. I speak healing upon the body of [patient]. As we all are, may they be healed by the wounds of Christ. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
A Career of Nursing Prayer
Being a nurse is no different from pastors and other full-time church ministers. In your workplace as a nurse, you should do what full-time ministers do, including preaching, praying for others, encouraging, blessing, and more. You are the missionary there. You don’t have to be a full-time missionary in your church to do missions in your workplace and reach out to the people who need it most. You can reach people better at your place of work than even your church’s full-time ministers, because you are already there!