Prayer of Healing — Complete D&D 5e Spell Guide

Table of Contents

• •Quick Answer
• •Overview
• •Stat Block
• •When NOT to Use This
• •Spell Slot Efficiency
• •Pro Tips
• •Common Mistakes to Avoid
• •Usage Tips
• •Rules Notes
• •Synergies
• •Anti-Patterns
• •Tactical Modules
• •Countermeasures
• •Prayer of Healing in the 2024 Rules
• •Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Answer

Prayer of Healing is a 2nd-level Cleric spell with a 10-minute casting time. In the 2014 rules, up to six creatures you can see within 30 feet each regain 2d8 + your spellcasting modifier hit points; undead and constructs are unaffected. In the 2024 rules it heals up to five creatures 2d8 each, gives them the benefits of a Short Rest, works once per creature per Long Rest, and Paladins can cast it too.

Overview

Prayer of Healing is out-of-combat healing for the whole party. Ten minutes is too long for a fight, but after one it heals everyone at once for a single 2nd-level slot.

In 2014 the numbers are good. A cleric with a +3 Wisdom modifier heals six creatures 12 hit points each on average, 72 in total. A Life Domain cleric adds 4 per creature through Disciple of Life, for 96. No other 2nd-level spell heals that much.

The 2024 version is a different spell. It drops the modifier and one target, but each creature also gets the benefits of a Short Rest: Hit Point Dice on top of the 2d8, and short-rest features recharged. It turns 10 minutes into what a 1-hour rest gives, once per creature per Long Rest.

Stat Block

Clerics can cast 2nd-level spells from 3rd level. In the 2024 rules it is an abjuration, and Paladins have it too, from level 5.

When NOT to Use This

• •During combat. The casting takes 10 minutes, and you must spend your action every turn and keep concentration while casting.
• •When you are concentrating on a spell you want to keep. Casting a spell that takes longer than an action requires concentration, which ends your other concentration spell.
• •When only one character is hurt. A 1st-level Cure Wounds costs less.
• •In 2014, on undead or constructs. The spell has no effect on them.
• •In 2024, on a creature that already got its benefit since its last Long Rest. It can't be affected again.

Spell Slot Efficiency

Upcasting

Each slot level above 2nd adds 1d8 to every creature's healing. In 2014 a 2nd-level casting already heals six creatures 72 hit points on average, so upcasting is rarely the best use of a higher slot.

Pro Tips

Tip #1: Cast it right after the fight.

Why it works: Ten minutes is short enough to fit between encounters in most dungeons. The party moves on near full instead of trickling healing out in the next fight.

This avoids the mistake of: Spending three Healing Words in combat on damage you could have healed for one slot afterward.

Tip #2: Include yourself.

Why it works: The spell targets creatures of your choice in range, and a spell that targets a creature of your choice can target you. In 2014 you can pick six; in 2024, five.

This avoids the mistake of: Healing everyone but the cleric.

Tip #3: In 2024, let the party spend Hit Point Dice during it.

Why it works: The targets get the benefits of a Short Rest, which includes spending Hit Point Dice. A 5th-level fighter with a +2 Constitution modifier regains 7.5 per d10 spent, on top of the spell's 9.

This avoids the mistake of: Taking a full hour-long Short Rest when a 10-minute prayer gives the same benefits.

Tip #4: Drop concentration on purpose.

Why it works: You must hold concentration while casting a spell with a long casting time, so any spell you are concentrating on ends. Let a spell like Spirit Guardians finish its work in the fight, then start the prayer.

This avoids the mistake of: Ending a still-useful concentration spell by accident.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Casting it in combat

Why it's bad: It takes 10 minutes, which is 100 rounds. A fight ends long before it finishes.

Do this instead: Use Healing Word in combat to get downed allies up, then Prayer of Healing afterward.

Adding the modifier in 2024

Why it's bad: The 2024 spell heals 2d8, with no spellcasting modifier.

Do this instead: Roll 2d8 per creature, plus Disciple of Life if you have it.

Moving out of range during the 2024 casting

Why it's bad: In 2024, only creatures that stay within 30 feet for the whole 10 minutes are affected.

Do this instead: Gather the party before you start, and keep the scouts close.

Usage Tips

• •2014 party heal. A 3rd-level cleric with 16 Wisdom (+3) casts it on four party members and herself. Each regains 2d8 + 3, 12 on average, for 60 in total. A sixth target would add 12 more.
• •Life Domain, 2014. Disciple of Life adds 2 + the spell's level to each creature healed, so +4 per target at 2nd level. Six targets regain 16 each, 96 in total. From 6th level, Blessed Healer also heals the cleric 4 when the spell heals someone else.
• •2024 with Hit Point Dice. A 5th-level party of four: each regains 9 from the spell. The fighter can then spend d10s at 7.5 each with +2 Constitution, and a wizard with +1 Constitution regains 4.5 per d6. Each creature can do this once per Long Rest.
• •Short Rest features, 2024. The rules glossary lists a Short Rest's benefits as spending Hit Point Dice and "Special Feature": features recharged by a Short Rest recharge as their descriptions say. The spell grants those benefits, so a fighter's Second Wind use, a cleric's Channel Divinity use, and a warlock's Pact Magic slots come back too.
• •Undead allies, 2014. A party member who is undead or a construct gets nothing from the 2014 spell. The 2024 spell has no such limit.
• •Roll each creature's healing with the dice roller, and track the slots with the spell slot tracker.

Rules Notes

• •2014: up to six creatures you can see within 30 feet. 2024: up to five creatures that stay within range for the whole casting.
• •Casting time of 10 minutes means taking an action each turn and holding concentration while casting. If concentration breaks, the spell fails, but the slot isn't spent.
• •Verbal component only. You don't need a free hand or a focus.
• •2014: no effect on undead or constructs. 2024: no type restriction.
• •2024: a creature can't be affected again until it finishes a Long Rest.

Prayer of Healing vs. other party heals

Synergies

• •Life Domain: Disciple of Life adds 4 hit points per target at 2nd level.
• •Healing Word: In-combat healing for downed allies, with Prayer of Healing afterward for everyone.
• •Aid: Raises maximum hit points for 8 hours; cast before the prayer so the extra room gets filled.
• •2024 short-rest classes: Fighters, warlocks, and monks get the most from the Short Rest part, since their short-rest features recharge.

Anti-Patterns

• •Starting the prayer while concentrating on a buff you still need.
• •Healing a 2014 construct or undead ally with it.

Tactical Modules

• •Corridor reset: After each fight in a dungeon, 10 minutes of prayer heals the party without a Short Rest.
• •Hurry-up rest (2024): When an hour-long Short Rest is too risky, the prayer gives its benefits in 10 minutes.
• •Before the boss: Use Aid first, then Prayer of Healing to fill the higher maximums.

Countermeasures

• •Threat: Interrupted during the 10 minutes. Response: Cast it somewhere defensible. Fallback: If concentration breaks, the slot isn't spent; cast it again later.
• •Threat: A 2024 ally already used it today. Response: Use Cure Wounds or Healing Word on them. Fallback: Take a real Short Rest.
• •Threat: Undead allies in 2014. Response: Heal them another way. Fallback: Rest.

Prayer of Healing in the 2024 Rules

The level, 10-minute casting time, 30-foot range, and verbal component are unchanged. Almost everything else changed:

• •School: Evocation became Abjuration.
• •Classes: Paladins join Clerics.
• •Targets: Up to five, down from six, and they must stay within range for the entire casting. The "you can see" requirement is gone.
• •Healing: 2d8, with no spellcasting modifier. Upcasting still adds 1d8 per slot level.
• •Short Rest: Each creature gains the benefits of a Short Rest: it can spend Hit Point Dice, and its short-rest features recharge.
• •Limit: A creature can't be affected again until it finishes a Long Rest.
• •Undead and constructs: The 2014 exclusion is gone.

The 2024 Disciple of Life still adds 2 plus the slot level to healing from spells cast with a spell slot, so a Life Domain cleric adds 4 per target at level 2.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Prayer of Healing work in 5e?

In 2014 you spend 10 minutes praying, and up to six creatures you can see within 30 feet regain 2d8 + your spellcasting modifier hit points. In 2024 up to five creatures who stay in range for the whole casting regain 2d8 and gain the benefits of a Short Rest.

Can Prayer of Healing be cast in combat?

Not practically. The casting time is 10 minutes, so you must take your action every turn and hold concentration for 100 rounds.

How much does Prayer of Healing heal?

2d8 + your modifier per creature in 2014, 12 on average with +3. In 2024, 2d8 per creature, 9 on average, plus any Hit Point Dice they spend from the Short Rest benefit.

Can you target yourself with Prayer of Healing?

Yes. It targets creatures of your choice, and you can choose yourself unless a spell says otherwise.

Does Prayer of Healing need concentration?

The spell itself is instantaneous. Casting any spell that takes longer than an action requires concentration while you cast, so it ends another concentration spell you are holding.

Does Prayer of Healing work on undead?

Not in 2014: it has no effect on undead or constructs. The 2024 version removes that restriction.

Does 2024 Prayer of Healing count as a Short Rest?

It gives each target the benefits of a Short Rest. The rules glossary defines those as spending Hit Point Dice and recharging features that recharge on a Short Rest, so both apply. Each creature gets this once per Long Rest.

Can Paladins cast Prayer of Healing?

In the 2024 rules, yes, from level 5. In 2014 it is a Cleric-only spell.

Citations: SRD 5.1 (2014 rules), SRD 5.2.1 (2024 rules)

Includes material from the System Reference Document 5.1 and 5.2.1 by Wizards of the Coast LLC, licensed under CC BY 4.0.