Prayer in Nursing: The Spirituality of Compassionate Caregiving

by O'Brien, Mary Elizabeth

• ISBN13: 9780763722395
• ISBN10: 0763722391
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-09-01
• Publisher: Jones & Bartlett

Summary

This slim, yet significant book examines the role of prayer in the life of a nurse from a variety of perspectives. To encourage the practice of prayer, each chapter begins with a meditation and ends with a prayer reflective of a nurse’s spirituality.

Author Biography

Mary Elizabeth O'Brien, SFCC PHD, MTS, RN, FAAN: The Catholic University of America, School of Nursing

Table of Contents

Introduction	xi
Prayer in Nursing: Reclaiming Our Spiritual Heritage	1	(20)
Compassionate Caregiving: The Practice of Prayer in Nursing	1	(2)
The Homeless Patient: A Parable of Nursing Compassion	3	(2)
Reclaiming Our Spiritual Heritage: A History of Prayer in Nursing	5	(4)
Prayer and the Charism of Nursing: Devotion to Caring for the Sick	9	(6)
Prayer and Contemporary Nursing: Why Should We Pray?	15	(1)
Prayer and the Presence of God in Nursing	16	(2)
Prayer and the Surprises of God: A Nurse's Vespers	18	(2)
A Nurse's Prayer for Devotion	20	(1)
A Holy Calling: Prayer and Commitment to Nursing	21	(22)
The Nurse's Call	21	(2)
Prayer and a Holy Calling	23	(3)
Prayer and Commitment to Nursing	26	(1)
The Nightingale Pledge: A Spiritual Retrieval	27	(12)
Prayer and the Nightingale Pledge	39	(1)
A Nurse's Psalm of Reverence for Life	40	(1)
A Nurse's Prayer for Faithfulness	41	(2)
Openness to the Spirit: Prayer and Becoming a Vessel	43	(12)
The Nurse: God's Vessel	43	(1)
Nursing Prayer and Openness to the Spirit	44	(2)
Listening in Nursing: The Whispering of the Spirit	46	(2)
Discernment in Nursing: Seeking God's Will	48	(2)
The Use of Scripture for Prayer in Nursing	50	(2)
Prayer and Becoming a Vessel: The Sanctuary Lamp	52	(2)
A Nurse's Prayer for the Gifts of the Spirit	54	(1)
A Sacred Covenant: Prayer and the Nurse-Patient Relationship	55	(14)
A Cracked Vessel: The Nurse's Covenant	55	(2)
Nursing: A Sacred Covenant	57	(2)
Prayer and the Nurse's Relationship with God	59	(2)
Prayer and the Nurse-Patient Relationship	61	(2)
Finding Time for Prayer in Nursing: An ``Oratory of the Heart''	63	(2)
Prayer and Nursing Practice: A Nurse's Sabbath	65	(2)
A Nurse's Prayer of Covenant and Caring	67	(2)
Compassionate Caregiving: Prayer and Embracing Patients' Needs	69	(16)
A Sacred Place of Silence in Nursing	69	(2)
``Little Maggie''	71	(1)
Compassion and Prayer in Nursing	71	(1)
A Place of Silence in Nursing	72	(3)
Prayer and Spiritual Gentleness in Nursing	75	(7)
Silent Sermons of Love: The Nurse's Ministry of Compassion	82	(2)
A Nurse's Prayer for a Compassionate Heart	84	(1)
The Wounded Healer: Prayer and the Problem of Suffering	85	(12)
The Prayer of a Wounded Healer	85	(2)
Prayer and the Problem of Suffering	87	(1)
Miriam's Transitus	88	(2)
A Prayer for Discontinuing Life Support	90	(1)
Prayer and Emotions in Nursing: The Lamp Is Heavy	90	(2)
Distraction and Dryness in Prayer	92	(1)
Prayer of a Nurse Who Is Wounded: A Nurse's Sermon on the Mount	93	(2)
A Nurse's Prayer for Courage in Suffering	95	(2)
The Journey to Jerusalem: Prayer and a Healing Ministry	97	(26)
Veronica: A Nurse's Meditation	97	(2)
Prayer and the Nurse's Journey to Jerusalem	99	(2)
Veronica: Prefigure of the Nurse	101	(1)
The Legend	102	(3)
The Nurse: A Modern Veronica	105	(5)
A Nurse's Way of the Cross	110	(6)
Prayer and a Healing Ministry	116	(4)
A Nurse's Prayer to Become a Healer	120	(3)
The Art of Contemplative Caregiving	123	(22)
Contemplative Nursing	123	(3)
Beginning to Pray: Five Steps in Preparation for Prayer	126	(4)
Contemplative Prayer in Nursing	130	(4)
Prayer and Spiritual Reading	134	(4)
Journaling	138	(1)
Becoming a Mystic	139	(2)
Contemplative Caregiving: The Nurse with the Alabaster Jar	141	(2)
The Prayer of a Contemplative Caregiver	143	(2)
Notes	145	(16)
Index	161