Comfortable participating
Ask what the patient would welcome, keep the prayer patient-centered, avoid medical predictions, and preserve clinical care.
Authenticity, consent, and respect
Prayer Request Guide
Respond in a manner that honors the patient’s request, your authentic boundaries, institutional policy, and access to professional spiritual care.
Comfortable remaining present
Offer attentive presence, listening, or silence while the patient prays or a chaplain joins.
Different faith or worldview
Acknowledge the request respectfully and ask what form of support would fit.
Uncertain how to respond
Pause, clarify the request, and offer professional chaplaincy.
Prefers chaplain support
Contact spiritual care and address urgency, tradition, language, and ritual needs.
Personal boundary
State the boundary respectfully while remaining present and facilitating another source of support.