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PRAYER THEME OF THE DAY
(taken from: Sherbino, David. Reconnect : Spiritual Exercises to Develop Intimacy with God, Castle Quay Books, 2012. Week 6 – Petitionary Prayers)
DAY 4: PRAYING FOR HEALING
Prayer for healing is something Christians do. At times we are confused or uncertain what God is doing, but we still pray in accordance with the scriptures.
James tells us: “Is anyone among you sick? Then you must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over you anointing you with oil in he name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise that one up , and if sins have been committed they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person can accomplish much.” (James 5:14-16)
In our prayer for healing we need to realize God may not respond in the manner we desire. Most have an inner desire to be healed and trust God will grant the request. There are times when God will say yes, times when God will say no, and times when God will say not yet. So we bow before the mystery of God and trust in his sovereign plan.
Exercise
Pray the following Litany of Healing:
“Let us name before God those for whom we offer our prayers…
God the Father, your will for all people is health and salvation;
We praise and thank you O Lord.
God the Son, you came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly,
We praise and thank you O Lord
God the Holy Spirit, you make our bodies the temple of your presence;
We praise and thank you O Lord.
Holy Trinity, one God, in you we live and move and have our being;
We praise and thank you O Lord.
Lord, grant your healing grace to all who are sick, injured, or disabled, that they may be made whole.
Hear us O Lord of Life
Grant to all who seek your guidance, and to all who are lonely, anxious, or despondent, a knowledge of your will and an awareness of your presence;
Hear us O Lord of Life.
Mend broken relationships, and restore those in emotional distress to soundness of mind and serenity of spirit;
Hear us O Lord of Life.
Grant to the dying peace and a holy death, and uphold by the grace and consolation of your Holy Spirit those who are bereaved;
Hear us O Lord of life
You are the Lord who does wonders
You have declared your power among the people
With you, O Lord is the well of life:
And in your light we see light.
Hear us O Lord of Life:
Heal us, and make us whole.
Amen.”
(source: Morris Maddocks, A Healing House of Prayer (Toronto Ontario, Hodder and Stoughton 1984) pg. 280)