The Ministry of Healing
This service makes provision for the Church’s ministry of healing through the laying on of hands and/or anointing. When required each ministry may be carried out separately by omitting the other section.
They may be used privately, by small groups, in the Eucharist, or other appropriate public worship.
They may be conducted by a priest, or deacon, or by a layperson duly authorised by the bishop.
Laying on of Hands
From ancient times the laying on of hands has been a symbol for the conveying of God’s power.
Among the gifts received from God by this means is that of healing. In Scripture we see this practice commonly used and the healings which ensued.
Anointing
Anointing provides a vivid, sacramental expression of God’s love in time of sickness. It is helpful at the onset of an illness, as well as in times of crisis.
The New Testament makes it clear that the anointing of the sick accompanied by prayer was used for healing.
A later practice was to restrict it to the moment of death. While still being available for the dying, its purpose is to convey healing in all sickness.
Preparation: The priest, minister and those seeking healing should prepare beforehand through prayer and instruction.
Additional Directions and Prayers for Critical Situations are to be found on pages 746–748.
The Ministry of the Word
The minister greets the person(s) present and then may say
May God bless you.
Receive God’s healing grace
to comfort and support you.
Amen.
One or more of the following or some other appropriate passages of Scripture, is read.
|
Psalm 91 Romans 8: 35–end 2 Corinthians 1:3–5 |
Luke 13:10–13 Luke 9:1–2, 6 Luke 4:40 Luke 17:11–19 |
The following are particularly suitable when the service includes anointing.
James 5:13–15
Mark 6:7, 12–13
The Readings may be followed by silence for reflection.
The minister may speak to those present.
The Confession
If the sick person wishes, The Reconciliation of a Penitent on pages 750–753
is used.
Or
The minister says
Hear God’s word to all.
God shows love for us
in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.
Amen.
If we confess our sins,
God is just, and may be trusted to forgive our sins
and cleanse us from every kind of wrong.
In silence we call to mind our sins.
Silence
Let us confess our sins.
God of grace,
we confess that we have sinned,
in what we have thought, and said, and done.
Forgive us for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Absolution is declared by the priest saying
N, God forgives your sins. Know that God pardons you and sets
you free.
Amen.
Or
Through the cross of Christ,
God have mercy on you,
pardon you
and set you free.
Know that you are forgiven
and be at peace.
God strengthen you in all goodness
and keep you in life eternal.
Amen.
If a priest is not present, the minister shall say
Almighty God,
who pardons all who truly repent,
forgive us our sins,
strengthen us by the Holy Spirit,
and keep us in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen.
The Invocation
The minister says
Like the first disciples
before the coming of God’s power at Pentecost,
we wait in faith, and pray.
Silence
Be with us, Holy Spirit;
nothing can separate us from your love.
Be with us as of old,
fill us with your power,
direct all our thoughts to your goodness.
Be present, Holy Spirit;
bring faith and healing and peace.
Silence
The minister says
The Lord is here.
God’s Spirit is with us.
The Laying on of Hands
The minister, with any others invited, in silence lays hands on the person(s); then, using the name if desired, may say these or other words.
In the name of God most high
we lay our hands upon you.
Receive Christ’s healing touch to make you whole
in body, mind and spirit.
The power of God strengthen you,
the love of God dwell in you,
and give you peace.
Amen.
When the laying on of hands is completed, or after the anointing, the minister prays
God our healer,
keep us aware of your presence,
support us with your power,
comfort us with your protection,
give us strength
and establish us in your peace.
The Anointing
The oil for the anointing of the sick is to be oil previously consecrated by a priest or bishop.
The minister dips a thumb in the holy oil and makes the sign of the cross on the person’s forehead, saying
N, I anoint you with this holy oil.
Receive Christ’s forgiveness and healing.
The power of the Saviour who suffered for you
flow though your mind and body,
lifting you to peace and inward strength.
Amen.
If the person wishes, other parts of the body may also be anointed.
When the anointing is completed, the minister continues
God our healer,
keep us aware of your presence,
support us with your power,
comfort us with your protection,
give us strength
and establish us in your peace.
The Lord’s Prayer
The minister continues with one of the following forms.
N, joining with those who pray for you,
and with the whole Church, we pray
As Christ teaches us we pray
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Hei whakakotahi i a tātou īnoi, me ngā īnoi o te Hāhi katoa mōu, ka īnoi tātou
E tō mātou Matua i te rangi
Kia tapu tōu Ingoa.
Kia tae mai tōu rangatiratanga.
Kia meatia tāu e pai ai
ki runga ki te whenua,
kia rite anō ki tō te rangi.
Hōmai ki a mātou āianei
he taro mā mātou mō tēnei rā.
Murua ō mātou hara,
Me mātou hoki e muru nei
i ō te hunga e hara ana ki a mātou.
Āua hoki mātou e kawea kia whakawaia;
Engari whakaorangia mātou i te kino:
Nōu hoki te rangatiratanga, te kaha,
me te korōria,
Āke ake ake. Āmine.
The Blessing of the Sick
When a priest is not present a minister may say
Our Lord Jesus Christ be with you to defend you,
within you to keep you,
before you to lead you,
beside you to guard you,
and above you to bless you.
Amen.
A priest may give a blessing using one of the following, or some other form.
God be your comfort, your strength;
God be your hope and support;
God be your light and your way;
and the blessing of God,
Creator, Redeemer and Giver of life,
remain with you now and for ever.
Amen.
Or
Mā te Atua koe e manaaki
e tiaki i ngā wā katoa
e noho i roto i te aroha o te Atua:
ko te aroha hoki te mea nui.
Āmine.
Additional Directions
1 For use with a Sunday Eucharist
The Invocation, The Laying on of Hands and/or The Anointing follow after The Prayers of the People or The Communion and the service concludes with The Blessing of the Sick.
2 For use with A Service of Holy Communion
This service up to and including The Blessing of the Sick is followed by A Service of Holy Communion, beginning either at The Prayers or at The Great Thanksgiving or, when the sacrament has been consecrated elsewhere, at The Communion.
3 Use of Oil
It is customary to use oil consecrated on Maundy Thursday by the bishop.
If the oil to be used has not been consecrated, this form may be used.
The oil may be consecrated only by a bishop or a priest.
God of healing and hope,
your Son our Saviour sent his disciples
to anoint the sick with oil;
fulfil your promise through this oil
which we set apart in his name
to be used as a sign of forgiveness,
healing and salvation.