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Service of Christian Healing in Hospital or Home

Ministers, elders, deacons, or other visitors should use this service with sensitivity to the specific needs of the person/s being visited and after ascertaining their willingness to participate in this act of faith. It would be most appropriate to use this service after a preliminary conversation and expression of pastoral concern.

SALUTATION

Grace and peace to you
from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

We are here in the name of the Lord Jesus,
whose ministry to God’s people
was one of healing power and saving grace.
He promised those who believe in him
that he would be with them always,
and his promise is true.
Christ is present among us still to heal and to make whole.

CONFESSION OF SIN

Now in the presence of the Lord, let us confess our sins. Let us pray.

Silence may be kept, after which one of the visitors may offer the following, or another prayer.

O God, who hears our prayers before we speak them,
who knows our needs before we raise them up,
you have heard the confession of our hearts.
Now grant us your mercy and forgiveness
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who came into the world to rescue us from sin
and bring us to life in him.
Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

The following or another scriptural assurance may be read.

With everlasting love I will have compassion on you,
says the Lord, your Redeemer.
I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
and I will not remember your sins.
Return to me, for I have redeemed you.

Isaiah 54:8, 43:25, 44:22

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Prayers may be offered for the person being visited, asking for God’s healing love and tender care to be granted in Christ’s name. The prayers may be concluded with the following petition:

O God, who in Jesus Christ
called us out of the darkness into your marvelous light;
enable us always to declare your wonderful deeds,
thank you for your steadfast love,
and praise you
with heart, soul, mind, and strength,
now and forever.
Amen.

SCRIPTURE

One or more brief passages of Scripture may be read.

Before an Operation
1 Timothy 1:12; Philippians 4:13; Psalm 91:1, 11; Isaiah 30:15b; Matthew 28:20; Psalm 46:1

For Confidence in God
Psalm 23; Psalm 46:1; Psalm 27:1-3; Ephesians 3:20; Romans 8:38-39; Hebrews 13:5b

The Purpose of Suffering
John 9:1-3; John 11:3-4; Psalm 66:10; Hebrews 12:6, 11; Job 1:8-12; Job 42:5-6; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Sense of Guilt or Failure
Psalm 51:1, 7-10; Isaiah 1:18; Psalm 103:8; John 6:37; Luke 15:7; 1 John 1:9

Anxiety
Psalm 26:3; Isaiah 30:15; Philippians 4:7-8; Matthew 6:34; Psalm 42:1-5

Patience
Romans 5:3-4; Psalm 46:l0a; Job 42:10; James 5:10-11; Philippians 4:13

Discouragement and Disappointment
Psalm 37:7; Psalm 138:8; Matthew 11:28; Isaiah 40:31; Psalm 6

Aged Persons
Psalm 16:5-11; Psalm 71:16-24; Luke 2:29-32; 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Sleeplessness
Psalm 4:8; Psalm 30:5b; Psalm 46:l0a; 1 Peter 5:7; 1 John 4:18

Fear of Death
Psalm 23:4; Romans 8:37-39; John 14:1ff; Isaiah 12:2; Psalm 46:1-4; Isaiah 41:10

Hope at the Time of Death
Psalm 23; John 14:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 15:57; Revelation 21:4-5; Revelation 22:3-5

Thanksgiving
Psalm 103:1-4; Psalm 118:5, 17-18; Psalm 138:1-3; Psalm 22:23-25; Psalm 28:7; Psalm 40:2-5

Childbirth
Psalm 116:1-5; Psalm 127:3-5a; John 16:21-22; James 1:17; Mark 10:14-16; Deuteronomy 6:7; Proverbs 22:6; 2 Corinthians 12:9a

One or both of the following lessons shall also be read:

Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all
demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom
of God and to heal.
Luke 9:1-2

And/or

Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.

James 5:13-15

LAYING ON OF HANDS AND ANOINTING WITH OIL

The pastoral visitors shall lay hands on the head of the person being visited. One of them may say one of the following, after which the person being visited may also be anointed with oil.

May the hands of the Great Physician, Jesus Christ,
rest upon you now in divine blessing and healing.
May the cleansing stream of his pure life
fill your whole being,
body, mind, and spirit, to strengthen and heal you.
Amen.

Or

Eternal God, for Jesus’ sake,
send your Holy Spirit upon your servant N____________;
drive away all sickness of body and spirit;
make whole that which is broken.
Grant deliverance from the power of evil
and true faith in Jesus Christ our Lord,
who suffered in our behalf,
but also rose from death
so that we too could live.
In his name we pray.
Amen.

A brief silence may be kept, after the sick person has been anointed.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Let us give thanks to the Lord. Let us pray.
Most gracious God, source of all healing;
we give thanks to you for all your gifts
but most of all for the gift of your Son,
through whom you gave and still give
health and salvation to all who believe.
As we wait in expectation
for the coming of that day
when suffering and pain shall be no more,
help us by your Holy Spirit to be assured
of your power in our lives
and to trust in your eternal love,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

BENEDICTION

Worship the Lord

The Liturgy of the Reformed Church in America

A treasury of prayers and primary resource for planning and leading worship in RCA congregations.