Healing touchJames 5:13-16, Acts 28:7-10, Luke 4:38-

40 and Matthew 9:18-26

In scripture we find that healing is often accompanied by certain actions

PrayerOil

Hands

Prayer The most common companion to healingIt invokes the name and power of Christ

Because it is Christ who gives authority to the healer

The name of Christ is not magically invokedRather it is calling upon a deep relationship

James 513 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray.

16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Acts 287 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer…

Prayer is sometimes accompanied byAnointing with oilLaying on of hands

James 513 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

PrayerAnointing with oil

In the name of the LordIn faith

Prayer is powerful and effective especially when one is righteous

Acts 288Paul went in to see him (Publius) and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured.

Luke 438 Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. 39 So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.

40 When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.

Matthew 918 While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.

23 When Jesus entered the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.

Why do we have this process?Prayer

Anointing oilLaying on of hands

1 Samuel 10Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, “Has not the LORD anointed you leader over his inheritance?

Psalm 1331How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! 2It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. 3It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

Anointing with oil (olive oil with fragrances)

Setting asideConsecrating

BlessingTo soothe

Exodus 133 Then Moses said to the people, “Commemorate this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, because the LORD brought you out of it with a mighty hand.

Psalm 11813I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me. 14The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. 15Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things! 16The LORD’s right hand is lifted high; the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!”

Lay on of handsPower

strengthAttitudeBlessing

Ordination

PrayerCalling out in the name, power and

authority we have in ChristThe oil

Is to soothe, to bless and to consecrateThe Hands

Our attitude, Christ’s power through us and his blessing

Why all the fanfare?Trusting the processRespecting tradition

Willing to look and be foolish

Healing…1. Is offered by a compassionate God2. His compassion requires our faith3. Our faith must be in the name of Christ4. Healing requires God’s authority5. It requires God’s gift on us6. A serious relationship with Christ7. Accompanied by prayer, laying on of

hands or anointing with oil