MINISTERS MUSINGS

FEBRUARY 2007 MUSING

HEALING MERCIES

Our Lord’s commission to His followers was to teach, preach, baptise and heal. Prayers have always been offered in church for the sick, but in recent decades there has been a greater focus on extending the healing ministry. In hospitals Chaplains are a recognised and valuable part of the caring team. Recent scientific surveys have shown that prayed for people make a more rapid recovery. As we enter the season of Lent we are reminded that we have a God who knows what suffering is. We can take heart from recalling that healing is God’s gift to humankind. The Greek word for ‘salvation’ can also be translated as ‘healing’. In his translation of the New Testament Tyndale in fact used the word ‘healing’ where later translations rendered it as ‘salvation’. True healing is a wholeness and a oneness with God through His Son Jesus.

For about the last 15years there have been healing prayer groups in our local villages. People from church and chapel meet monthly to review those who have requested prayer. Currently there are over 50 names on the lists. The task is to pray for each one daily and it is a privilege to do so. Over the years hundreds have been prayed for. Many of them tell us how much they have benefited from such prayer. Healing does not necessarily bring cure but it does give strength and peace to meet adversity. There is an ecumenical communion service on the third Tuesday of each month at one of the churches or the chapel with the offer of the laying on of hands. There is also the ministry of anointing for any who wish it. We must not neglect the promise and gift of healing. We can pray for ourselves and also bring others to God for His healing touch. Remember the paralysed man who was brought to Jesus by his friends, even though they had to break through the roof to do so. We can do a bit of ‘roof breaking’ too with our prayers. Here is one from the Iona Community you might care to use.

‘God of compassion and love, we offer you our suffering and pain. Give us strength to bear our weakness; healing even when there is no cure, peace in the midst of turmoil, and love to fill the spaces in our lives, through Christ our Lord. Amen’.

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