The laying on of hands and anointing with oil is one way God’s love is extended each Sunday. He desires us to be comforted and supported. As lay ministers, we invite the congregation to come, whatever the sickness of body, mind, or spirit and receive a sign of healing and wholeness in the name of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Offering healing prayers during communion has become a powerful, spiritual blessing to each of us on the Healing Prayers Team. Most often, we pray the Lutheran healing prayers. Sometimes, an individual will ask for a specific prayer – for upcoming personal surgery or an ill loved-one or a suffering family. Then the person’s forehead is anointed with oil, making the sign of the cross, and he or she is assured of forgiveness and healing in Jesus Christ.
To touch each person with love and to sense his or her trust in the healing power of the Holy Spirit is humbling to share. If you feel a calling to more effectively be a disciple of Jesus Christ as a member of the Healing Prayers Team, talk with Pastor Trozzo or Sue Kuhn.
—Sue Kuhn