Prayer is an essential ingredient of our Christian faith, but sometimes people find it hard to pray. This short series discusses different types of prayers, as well as focusing on how and what to pray for.
Healing – from old English word “hal” or “Helen” – to be whole, complete, perfect
1 a : to make sound or whole <heal a wound> b : to restore to health
2 a : to cause (an undesirable condition) to be overcome :mend
b : to patch up (a breach or division) <heal a breach between friends>
3 to restore to original purity or integrity <healed of sin>
Example of healing prayers in today’s bulletin
Pastor: O Lord, as we abide in Your sanctuary, may Your Holy Spirit descend upon us. As we await Your sacred presence, may Your righteousness cover all our sins.
People: Speak to our hearts, Loving Father, and let Your truth comfort our souls. When we are hurting, heal our pain. When we are grieving, grant us grace. When we are fearful, fill us with faith.
Pastor: Gracious Lord, we depend upon Your promises to sustain us in times of trouble, worry, and stress. Hear our prayers, Holy Lord. Heal our loved ones, and us, from all the harm and ill health that damages our hearts and minds, as well as our bodies and souls. Hear us now as we quietly pray.
Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.
Pastor: The Lord keeps His word, so we shall not be shaken. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen. (Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 15)
Why do we pray for healing during worship? What are we asking for in today’s prayers? How do we use the time of silence? What is the candle for? Why use the psalms?
Bible examples of healing prayers
Psalm 38:1-8
3 Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin.
Is this a prayer or a complaint? How ill is the psalmist? Why does he reach out to God? What healing is he actually looking for? Do we equate God’s anger with sickness today?
Mark 7:24-30
24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet.26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.
27 "First let the children eat all they want," he told her, "for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."
28 "Yes, Lord," she replied, "but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs."
29 Then he told her, "For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter." 30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
What causes the woman to beg for her daughter? Why does Jesus delay the healing? How does the woman respond? How is the healing transmitted? What does this passage tell us about praying for healing?
Acts 3:2-8
2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
Where do Peter and John get the power to heal? What is remarkable about this healing? What does this tell us about healing by Christ through His Church? How do we practice this today?
Any other questions?
Healing Prayers - A word about OUR EXPECTATIONS: we are meeting together in the name of Jesus, and we are sure that according to His promise He is with us. He is still the healing Lord, and through Him God answers our prayers. We can therefore confidently expect SOME healing touch or gift for all those for whom we pray. It may be a physical healing; it may be swift and dramatic, though more often it is likely to be gradual or cumulative. It may be an invitation to trust and follow Jesus in a new way, and perhaps a call to penitence and forgiveness – or to forgive others. It may be a healing of wounded relationships. God has many healing gifts in store for us, if we turn to Him and work with Him, together, in faith and love. – Sandy Duff, Scotland.
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