Service for Healing (How to introduce this ministry in your congregation.)

From the Open Files of: NW Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center (715)833-1153 Contributed by: Rev. Carm Aderman This file is available in Rich Text Format version for editing

An Overview of a Service for Healing What It Is: A time to come before God in prayer to seek healing for emotional physical, relational, and spiritual distresses, as well as the healing of memories which continue to hurt us. We are also invited to the altar to pray for other people in our lives who are in need of the Great Physician's help but are unable or unwilling to come before the Lord on their own. An opportunity to add to the healing process with the resources of the Church as the Body of Christ, (elements of a Service for Healing include Confession and Forgiveness, Prayer, Holy Communion, Laying on of Hands, and Anointing with oil). An opportunity to join in Jesus' ministry (and that of His disciples) to invite the Holy Spirit to work Her healing power in and through us. A quiet, respectful time in prayer and worship, opening our spirits to the flow of the Holy Spirit. What It Is Not: A substitute for medical care. A substitute for clinical counseling. A way to escape personal responsibility (i.e. wanting to be healed from respiratory problems while refusing to stop smoking, or wanting to heal a marriage without changing your own behavior.) A remake of the healing services most of us envision when we think of what we have seen on TV. We May Or May Not: Be healed in the way we expect. Be cured of a physical disease. (Even Jesus died from His physical trauma on the cross. His healing was the Ultimate Healing of the Resurrection. The Apostle Paul suffered chronically from a "thorn in this flesh" throughout his ministry.) We Can Expect: To be somewhat anxious the first time we go to the altar rail. It is a new and unknown experience for most of us. Everyone to be in need of healing in some way. Not everyone may choose to come forward for prayers and anointing, but we are all in need of healing. Jesus to honor our prayers and respond in a way which will bring glory to God. Privacy and confidentiality: No one will know why anyone else is at the altar or if they are even there for themselves (remember, it is also an opportunity to pray for someone else). Suggestions for adding a Service for Healing to your congregation's worship cycle. History of Healing Service: Historically has been part of the ministry of the church, up until the 1700s. Lost it during Enlightenment and the separation of the rational intellect from the ethereal soul issues Now it is being integrated again into both the medical and religious arenas. Scientific research demonstrates that prayer aids in healing. The Christian church is reclaiming its historic role in the healing process. Practical issues: Give people plenty of time to get used to the idea Figure out traffic pattern Let people hear the prayer and handle the oil stock Prepare ushers to have fewer people at the altar rail each time Remind people they can pray for themselves or for others when they are at the altar Texts: Isaiah 35:1-10 Isaiah 42:1-7 Isaiah 53:3-5 Isaiah 61:1-3 Acts 3:1-10 Acts 5:12-16 Acts 10:36-43 Acts 16:16-18 James 5:(13)14-16 Matthew 8:1-3, 5-8, 13-17 Mark 1:21-28 Mark 1:29-34a Mark 6:7, 12-13 Luke 17:11-19 John 5:1b-9 John 9:1-11 Prayers which could be used in the course of the Healing Service: During the laying on of hands… "Father in Heaven, for Jesus' sake, send your Holy Spirit upon your servant, __________. Drive away all sickness of body and soul, make whole that which is broken, deliver her/him from the power of evil, and preserve her/him in true faith." While anointing the person with oil: "I anoint you with oil in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit." Prayer while preparing the oil: "Lord God, you bring healing to the sick through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. May your blessings come upon all who are anointed with this oil, that they may be freed from pain and illness and be made whole. Amen." This small stock has a ring that fits around your finger. A piece of cotton is placed in the cylinder and soaked with olive oil. The stock can rest on the underside of your hand, the cotton keeps the oil from seeping out. Cinnamon oil can also be bought and just a small drop added to the oil for a slight scent during the anointing. (Caution: don't put too much cinnamon oil in the olive oil. It can cause a slight burning on people's skin if it is too strong.) Source of oil and stocks: http://www.alviti.com/html/accessories.htm  Bible Study to use with groups within the congregation to talk about faith and healing. Here are some examples from the Bible of different healings. Read each passage and write a one-sentence summary of the story. Answer any other questions. A. John 5:1-9 (the Paralytic at Bethesda) 1. A summary… B. Mark 5:24-34 (The woman bleeding 12 years) 1. A summary… 2. In verse 33, Mark tells us the woman told Jesus "the whole truth". What is the importance of recognizing "the whole truth" as we come before the Lord for healing? C. John 4:46-53 1. A summary… 2. Did the boy have to be actually present for Jesus to heal him? D. Luke 13:10-13 1. A summary… 2. What did Jesus say to the woman? 3. What did Jesus do to the woman? 4. In what other ceremonies do we lay hands on people? (Baptism, Confirmation, Ordination. The pastor raising her or his hands during the Benediction is a "group" version of laying on of hands; similarly the benediction at a burial committal has this intent.) ***NOTE: This is not required for healing to take place, but it is encouraging for many people and follows Jesus' tradition of then doing it. (It is similar to a mother who kisses her child's scraped knee as a sign of her care.) E. Mark 1:32-34 (Healing many outside Peter's mother-in-law's house) [Mark 3:7-12 is another example]. 1. A summary… 2. The previous stories of Jesus healings told of only one person at a time being healed. What is different in this story? F. Mark 6:12-13 (The disciples also pray for healings and anoint people) [Acts 5:12-16 is another example.] 1. A summary… 2. Who is doing the healing in this account? 3. What is the earthly element they used in the healing process? ***NOTE: anointing is not required for healing, but is a powerful symbol of encouragement for the person being anointed. G. James 5:13-16 (the sick go to the elders for prayer and anointing) 1. What should the sick do? Further Questions to Ponder: 1. What do I think of when I hear "A Service for Healing"? 2. What was my first reaction to hearing we would have one? 3. What is an example of physical healing I have experienced in my life? When complete healing wasn't experienced, how did you learn to cope with the after-effects? 4. What is an example of a relational healing I have experienced in my life? (e.g., arguments in marriage or with children/parents, anger with a friend, misunderstanding with a co-worker) 5. What is an example of an emotional healing I have experienced in my life? (e.g., better able to cope with death of a spouse or other loved one, hurt by someone's words, recovering from an abusive relationship) 6. What are some of the memories I need to have healed? 7. In general, using your own words, what is the purpose of the following in a Service for Healing? Oil and anointing Laying on of hands Prayer 8. What questions or concerns do I still have about a Service for Healing?

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