Prayer:Prayer to St. Lazarus of Bethany
Stored: Prayer to St. Lazarus of Bethany
| Prayer to St. Lazarus of Bethany | |
|---|---|
| Author | Unknown |
| Purpose | |
| Recipient | |
| Liturgical Context | |
| Prayer Type | |
| Origin | |
| Length | |
| Season | |
| Language | English |
| Approval | None |
| Tags | |
| Added on | 2026-08-13 |
St. Lazarus of Bethany holds a singular place among the friends of Our Lord, for he alone among all men was raised from the dead by Christ before the Resurrection itself, bearing witness to the divine power and tender mercy of Jesus. The prayer addressed to St. Lazarus draws upon this extraordinary miracle, recorded in the eleventh chapter of the Gospel of John, in which Our Lord declared, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live." Devotion to St. Lazarus has endured throughout the centuries in both the Eastern and Western Churches, rooted in the scriptural testimony that Jesus loved Lazarus deeply and wept at his tomb.
This intercessory prayer invites the faithful to draw comfort from the same mercy that Christ showed to Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary. It is especially beloved by those facing grave illness, the fear of death, or spiritual desolation, as Lazarus embodies the truth that no darkness — not even the tomb — is beyond the reach of Christ's love.
The Prayer
O glorious St. Lazarus, beloved friend of Our Lord Jesus Christ, whom He raised from the dead after four days in the tomb, look upon us in our need and present our petitions before the throne of God.
As you experienced the boundless mercy and power of Christ, who called you forth from darkness into life, intercede for us who also walk in weakness and need His divine assistance.
Obtain for us, through your powerful intercession, healing of body and soul, the grace of perseverance in faith, and the sure hope of eternal life.
Remind us, dear Lazarus, that our Lord weeps with us in our sorrows and triumphs over death on our behalf.
Pray for us, that we may one day share in that resurrection which Christ promised to all who believe in Him.
Amen.
History and Background
The scriptural account of Lazarus is found exclusively in the Gospel of John (11:1–44), where he is identified as the brother of Martha and Mary of Bethany and a man whom Jesus loved (John 11:3, 5, 36). When Lazarus fell gravely ill and died, Jesus deliberately delayed His arrival, and upon coming to Bethany, He performed one of His most astounding miracles: commanding that the stone be rolled away from the tomb and calling out, "Lazarus, come forth!" (John 11:43). The raising of Lazarus is traditionally numbered among the seven signs of the Fourth Gospel and is understood by the Church as a foreshadowing and prefigurement of Christ's own Resurrection and of the general resurrection of the dead at the Last Day.
According to ancient tradition recorded by Eastern Church Fathers, Lazarus subsequently became the first Bishop of Kition (Citium) on the island of Cyprus, where he served the Christian community for thirty years and died peacefully. The Eastern Orthodox Church venerates him especially on Lazarus Saturday, the day before Palm Sunday, when his resurrection is commemorated as a foretaste of Pascha. In the Western Church, his feast day has historically been observed on December 17, though in some local calendars and in Marseille, France — where later tradition held that Lazarus became the first bishop — he is honored on the same date. The Cathedral of Saint-Lazare in Autun, France, constructed in the twelfth century, stands as a testament to the widespread medieval veneration of this saint in Western Christendom.
Catholic devotional prayer to St. Lazarus developed organically from the faithful's meditation upon John 11 and from the theological reflection of the Church Fathers, including St. Augustine, St. Ambrose, and St. Cyril of Alexandria, all of whom wrote at length on the spiritual significance of the raising of Lazarus. St. Augustine interpreted the miracle allegorically as signifying the resurrection of the soul from the death of sin, a reading that gave the devotion additional pastoral depth beyond its immediate historical meaning.
How to Pray / Devotional Use
The Prayer to St. Lazarus of Bethany may be prayed privately at any time, but it is particularly appropriate in the following circumstances:
- During serious illness — The prayer may be offered by those who are gravely ill, by family members keeping vigil at the bedside of a dying loved one, or by healthcare workers who minister to the sick and dying.
- In times of spiritual desolation — Because Lazarus was called forth from spiritual as well as physical darkness, this prayer is fitting for those suffering from despair, depression, or a sense of abandonment by God.
- During Lent and Holy Week — Since the raising of Lazarus is proclaimed in the Gospel on the Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year A) and its commemoration on Lazarus Saturday precedes Palm Sunday in the Eastern tradition, this prayer integrates naturally into Lenten devotional practice.
- At the time of death and in prayers for the deceased — As a saint who himself passed through death and returned, Lazarus is a powerful patron to invoke for those who have recently died and for those who mourn.
- On his feast day, December 17 — The faithful may offer this prayer in celebration of his feast, particularly in parish communities dedicated to his patronage.
It is customary to precede or follow this prayer with the Sign of the Cross. Those who maintain a longer devotional practice may also read or meditate upon John 11:1–44 before reciting the prayer, allowing the scriptural narrative to deepen the meaning of the intercession. In some traditional households, a brief novena of nine days is offered to St. Lazarus prior to a surgery or during a prolonged illness, repeating this prayer each day alongside a Scripture reading and an act of thanksgiving.