5 Fear-Reducing Prayers for a Colonoscopy

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It’s time for your colonoscopy.  How do you pray about this?

Whether you’re 45 years old or older, have a family history of colon cancer, or you have experienced specific symptoms, a colonoscopy screening is necessary.

If it’s your first time to undergo this procedure, you may be a little worried.  Or you’ve heard stories from other people about how taxing the preparation is.  Whatever your concerns, rest in this truth, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26.3 NIV).

As we age, our bodies tend to require more maintenance, and a colonoscopy falls in that category.  It’s done to help your doctor explore possible causes of any abdominal pain you may have, or if you’ve been experiencing chronic constipation, chronic diarrhea and other intestinal problems.   Mostly, it is done as a screening for colon cancer, which is always a good idea.

Of course, you’ll want to ask your primary care doctor any medical questions you have or talk about any concerns. The prayers offered here are for you, to give you peace in your soul about the colonoscopy.  Especially if it’s your first time, lifting your worries to God can prove helpful, “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5.7 NIV).

I can tell you from experience that undergoing the procedure gave me more peace of mind than not doing it. I’ve had four done in recent years because they discovered a polyp and removed it.  So, it was good that I accepted my doctor’s recommendation.  I have less worry, and more confidence that I’m in good health!

The first time was a little worrisome simply because I hadn’t ever experienced this.  But praying about it greatly lessened my anxiety.  I simply followed the instructions for preparation and everything went well.  I share this personal anecdote because I want you to know, I understand what you’re feeling–I’ve been there.

Let the 5 prayers below be a pathway for you to step along as you journey from hearing from your doctor, to the procedure, and then after the colonoscopy.  You may want to offer your praises or requests in the comments below as well.

Quick Prayer About a Colonoscopy

Dear God, my doctor just told me I needed to have a colonoscopy, and I’m worried about it.  I don’t like hospitals and I’ve never had surgery of any kind.  Please help remain calm over the next couple of weeks until the procedure.  I pray it goes well and I’m all clear.  I ask this all in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Prayer After Discovering Need for Colonoscopy

Father in heaven, I got a surprise today!  I went for my annual checkup with my doctor and she said I needed to schedule a colonoscopy.  I told her I had experienced a little blood in my stool and she told me I had to schedule one today, before I left her office!

I’m more than a little concerned.  I’m only 47 years old and I thought I was in pretty good health.  I don’t want cancer, Lord.  I’ve got a family and my oldest child is about to enter college, and I’m very worried about this, Lord, and I need your help.

I need your peace right now, in this moment.  They got me in for the procedure in a couple of weeks, so that’s a relief that I won’t have too long to fret.  Please calm my anxious thoughts and grant me understanding as I read through all the informational materials.

I want to claim the power of the promise from scripture “But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 30.7 NIV).

I’ll do whatever I need to do, but I ask for your healing in my body, Lord.  Help the gastroenterologist see all they need to see and attend to it.  May your healing flow through to my body in the coming days. I ask this in the name of the Prince of Peace, Lord Jesus, Amen.

Prayer Before a Colonoscopy

Dear God, I’m beginning preparation for my colonoscopy.  Yesterday I had to eat bland food and now I’m just drinking liquids.  I’m feeling tired, Lord.  I haven’t fasted like this and my doesn’t seem to know what’s going on.

Give me energy for this day, as I allow my body to eliminate all the waste.  My doctor told me it is essential to have a good screening so I’m doing it.  I may not enjoy it, but I know it’s required.

Later, I have drink the preparation fluid.  I’m supposed to drink half tonight and half early in the morning.  It looks like a lot and I’ve heard it doesn’t taste great at all.  I’m trying not to whine about all this Lord, so give me strength and maturity to just get through this in good spirits.

This feels awkward to mention in prayer, God, but this fluid is intended to clear my entire colon.  I don’t want to make a mess, so glad I can be at home for this part of it.  I’m just asking for my body to respond to the preparation as it needs to so I can go to the colonoscopy fully ready.

I ask for your healing hand to be upon me Lord, through tonight and into the procedure tomorrow.  Thank you that my insurance covers this, which is a sign of your provision.  I give you thanks and praise, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer During a Colonoscopy

Father God, my spouse is getting his first type of endoscopy, a colonoscopy right now. He won’t admit it out loud but he’s a little nervous about it.  He griped about all the preparation he had to do, but I kept telling him it was necessary to get to good health.

His family has a history of colon cancer so I pray that any polyps they find can be easily removed in the procedure today.  (Name) will be so relieved if that is the case.  When he found out he had to do this, he got scared, but as I prayed over him, he seemed to have some peace.  Thank you, Lord.

I pray for the doctor doing the procedure, that you give him clarity of vision and diagnosis. I pray for the anesthesiologist to be attentive and focused.  I pray for the recovery time afterwards, that my spouse will not have any intestinal discomfort.

Help his body ease back into receiving food later today, after fasting for so long prior to this morning’s procedure.  Give him rest tonight, knowing that your healing hand is still at work, even through this surgery.  I ask all these things in the name of the Divine Healer, Lord God, Amen.

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Prayer After a Colonoscopy

God, I’m so glad that is over!  It wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be.  The doctor said everything went well–I had one small polyp and it was easily removed.

Praise you for basically a clear screening and that all was handled well.  I had no issues with the anesthesia and no stomach discomfort afterwards.  I had heard that could happen, but am grateful I didn’t experience any of that.

Thank you for my spouse being here and waiting all that time and driving me home.  I know she was praying for me and that enabled me to be calm going into the exam room.  I wasn’t alone–your presence was with me as she prayed.

Help me ease back into eating later today so I don’t tax my digestive system.  I want to take this experience and move forward as I seek to continue in good health.  I want to love you with all my strength, physically, Lord.

I give you thanks for how you heal and bring wholeness in so many ways.  Gratefully praying to you in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Final Thoughts

Having your doctor tell you that a colonoscopy is needed rarely elicits great joy.  However, if you can see it as a way for God to care for you physically, then you can embrace it more readily.  And besides, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” (1 Corinthians 6.9 NIV).  We can’t disregard care for our bodies.

Isn’t it wonderful that we live in a season of time in which medical technology can assist us in being healthy and whole?  We can be grateful for medical professionals and for screenings like a colonoscopy.

Even if you are worried, your prayers can bring you strength as you embrace scriptural truth like we see in Isaiah 41.10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

As you pray through the prayers above, let the peace of God surround you.  You may find it helpful to share your own prayer requests below and you can also see all our prayers related to physical health here.