Introduction
In silence, recollect the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ who said:
“Surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 (NIV)
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 (NIV)
Remember that Christ’s power to heal is the same today as it was in his earthly ministry:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
A PRAYER:
God of the still small voice, as I pause to be still in your presence, may my whole being, body, mind and spirit,
focus on you. Amen.
HYMN 608 (Irish Church Hymnal)
Be still and know that I am God,
be still and know that I am God,
be still and know that I am God.
I am the Lord that healeth thee,
I am the Lord that healeth thee,
I am the Lord that healeth thee.
In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust,
in thee, O Lord, do I put my trust,
in thee, O Lord, do I put my trust.
Anon.
v.1 based on Psalm 46.10
v.2 based on Matthew 8.7
v.3 based on Psalm 31:1
Reflect on how God has blessed you and continues to do so. Read the psalm slowly and prayerfully.
PSALM 103:1-5
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits;
3 Who forgives all your sins
and heals all your infirmities;
4 Who redeems your life from the Pit
and crowns you with faithful love and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your soul with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.
Loving Father, as you call me to spend time in your presence, may my mind be open and my heart receptive to what you are saying to me.
“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me.”
(Psalm 25:4-5, NIV)
READING: Luke 13:10-13 (NIV)
“On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, ‘Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.’ Then he put his hands on her and immediately she straightened up and praised God.”
(Luke 13:10-13, NIV)
When we think of Jesus’ earthly ministry, we see how he was moved with compassion, and how he brought healing and wholeness to so many. The woman bent double must have felt that her situation was completely hopeless and resigned herself to a life of suffering. Yet time and again Jesus was able to bring hope and healing out of truly hopeless situations. Sometimes we become disabled like this woman by things that have happened to us in life. We may be passing through a time of illness and anxiety. Our situation may seem hopeless. Perhaps we have experienced rejection, hurt or disappointment at some stage in our life, and our spirits are bowed down, just like this woman was bowed down. And then we hear Jesus saying those words again from verse 12: ‘you are set free from your infirmity.’ As we draw near to Jesus in a day-to-day relationship of trust, as we love him and seek to have him with us in our lives, we can be sure that he hears our prayers and will answer them as he knows best for us. We must always and continuously bring our healing needs to him and experience the wholeness of body, mind and spirit that he wants us to have.
A PRAYER
Almighty and everlasting God, whose Son Jesus Christ healed the sick and restored them to wholeness of life: Look with compassion on the anguish of the world and heal the afflictions of all your people through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
AN ACT OF FAITH
I believe and trust in God my heavenly Father who made me and all the world.
I believe and trust in Jesus Christ my Saviour, who redeemed me and all humankind.
I believe and trust in the Holy Spirit who gives life to me and all the people of God.
I believe in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Before any of us asks the Lord Jesus for his healing touch it is important that we recognise and repent of any sin in our lives. Unrepented sin blocks the flow of God’s blessings to us, especially sins of bitterness and resentment, of broken relationships, and seeking his healing for purely selfish reasons rather than to live for his glory.
Keep a period of silence for reflection and self-examination.
PRAYER OF PENITENCE
The gospel calls us to turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ. As I offer myself to him in penitence and faith, I renew my confidence and trust in his mercy.
Through his prophet Isaiah God says: “In returning and rest you shall be saved. In quietness and trust shall be your strength. Isaiah 30:15
Saviour of the world, forgive my sins, known and unknown, things done, and left undone; grant me the grace of your Holy Spirit that I may amend my life according to your Holy word and share with all your people the joys of your eternal kingdom. Amen.
We come to Jesus Christ in an attitude of trusting faith, knowing that he wants to minister to us. Do not rush this part. Linger over the words and ponder their meaning and then ask the Lord Jesus to lay his healing hand on you, not doubting that he will do so. It is also very important that you may wish to pray for someone else who is in your thoughts and who may need the Lord’s touch; a loved-one or friend, or even someone you don’t know but whose situation you have heard about.
A PRAYER FOR HEALING
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; restore me and I shall know your joy. I bring to you my healing needs……….….(be specific), trusting in you alone. I wait in silence before you, in faith seeing the nail pierced hands that have touched so many and will touch me.
I bring to you also…..(name the person for whom you may wish to pray) and pray that you will likewise minister to them your healing touch.
Silence
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who laid his hands on the sick that they might be healed, in faith I claim his healing hands to be laid upon me now. Father, Son and Holy Spirit, make me whole in body, mind and spirit, give me light and peace and keep me in eternal life. Amen.
Keep a period of silence thanking Jesus that his healing power is flowing into you.
A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR HEALING RECEIVED
Almighty God, our loving heavenly Father, I thank you for the healing in body, mind and spirit which you have given me today. I thank you for the Church’s Ministry of Healing and the blessings received through it for myself and those for whom I have prayed. I ask that your healing power will continue to flow through me, touching me in every part of my being. Lord, I ask that I may not forget your blessings of health and strength. May I praise you each day for your mercy and love towards me, and even if you have shown me that it is not your will to restore me to full physical health at this time, may I know each day the peace of the wholeness which you are giving me and that your grace is sufficient for me. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Divine Healer. Amen.
FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Heavenly Father, watch over those we love. Remove all anxious fears from them. Heal them according to their needs. Teach us to know that you are always near, and that we are one in you for ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FOR THE CHURCH’S MINISTRY TO THOSE WHO ARE SICK
Bless, O Lord God, your Church in its ministry to those who are sick, that it may fulfil your holy will and purpose, and use all means of grace for the healing of your people; and grant to those who desire your healing true penitence, full pardon and perfect peace; for your dear Son’s sake, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A PRAYER OF COMMITMENT
Lord God, whose we are and whom we serve: I place my life afresh into your hands. Take me as I am, and make me what you want me to be. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may be strong for your service and used for your glory. Give me a greater love for Christ and his Church and make me fully alive to every opportunity to serve you in the Church and in the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A PRAYER BASED ON PSALMS 23 & 34
Lord, I will bless you at all times and I will always praise you. I looked for you and you answered me and delivered me from all my fears. As I have put my trust in you, I have found that you are gracious and will bless me. You have brought me to the green pastures of your living word and to the living waters that flow from Christ. You have spread a table before me from which you feed me and fill my cup to overflowing. I rejoice in you and know that I will live with you for ever. As I continue to worship, help me to receive more and more of you that I may indeed be healed and preserved in body and soul, in this life and in the life everlasting to come. This I pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
To God, who by the power at work within us, is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus to all generations for ever and ever. Amen.