PRAYERS FOR HEALING
First Lutheran offers prayers for healing quarterly during the year, Maundy Thursday being one of those times. It is a time of seeking God, the One who heals us, as expressed in Exodus 15:26, where God says, “I am the Lord, who heals you”.
A service of prayers for healing can be created for one person or for many as we do on Maundy Thursday. People may come forward and kneel or stand. Each individual receives the laying on of hands with prayers spoken over each one; the prayers may be general or in response to the individuals spoken concerns. We generally begin by saying “We lay our hands on you in the name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” and then proceed with the prayer.
The laying on of hands is an ancient tradition of the church associated with prayers for healing. It is so natural to reach out and touch those who are hurting. Healing comes in a variety of ways. Sometimes it comes through ordinary means like a good night sleep or a long conversation with a dear friend. Sometimes it comes in ways that we understand, like through surgery or medication or counseling. Sometimes it comes in ways that we do not understand, but it is all God’s work of healing.
It is interesting to think about how faith, healing and wholeness are so closely intertwined. Faith provides hope for us the two are linked. Healing and wholeness are also enmeshed.. Healing is the precursor to wholeness. Frequently the terms healing and cure are interchanged, which is an error. Your can experience one or the other, or both, but they are mutually exclusive. Healing can be a sudden physical cure but for most people, the healing power of faith involves a healing of the mind and emotions, of the intangible spirit, and of relationships with others. This type of healing often leads to inner peace, which may very likely lessen the physical burden of illness. Wholeness is what we all desire to achieve and is an attempt to balance between body mind and spirit..
So I encourage all people in need of healing to attend the Maundy Thursday service. If you are dealing with a broken or stained relationship, a physical illness, upcoming surgery, depression, unemployment, grief or other difficulty. You may also come for the peaceful time of prayer, to ask for a blessing or pray for a loved one in need. We will also be offering foot washing, confession, baptism, and lighting of candles, along with prayers for healing. Through out Jesus ministry we hear stories of Jesus healing, remember He is able.
Wendy Wagner