Published on
March 10, 2011
The season of Lent is a good time to be intentional about incorporating prayers for healing into worship and to offer a special service of prayers for healing and restoration.

The season of Lent is a good time to pay special attention to prayers for healing and restoration. Your congregation may become more intentional about these prayers in their weekly worship services, or they may choose to offer a special prayer service on a Sunday evening or mid-week. Here are some resources that might help you to get started.

Prayers:

O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers, mercifully hear our prayers and grant to your servant [name] the help of your power, that his/her sickness may be turned into health and our sorrow into joy,through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  
(Book of Common Prayer)

Almighty and merciful God, you are the only source of health and healing; you alone can bring calmness and peace.
Grant me an awareness of your presence and a strong confidence in you. In pain, weariness, and anxiety,
surround me with your care, protect me by your loving might, and permit me once more to enjoy health and strength and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.  
(ELW 85)

God, I give you my life to do with as you will.
I know that you can heal me, yet my faith is weak.
Give me the faith to trust in you.
Let your healing Spirit enter me and heal me by (be specific).
I thank you, God, for you presence.
Let your grace shine in me and through me.   Amen.  
http://www.congregationalresources.org/sites/default/files/GuideHealingPrayer.pdf

 

Learn More

  • Here is a simple structure for a healing service.
  • Harry Boonstra writes an introduction to a Prayer Service for Restoration, with helpful notes about the service order.
  • One church’s service of Prayers for Healing for a particular person in need.
  • A service focusing on Psalm 13, a Psalm of Lament that also points toward healing.
  • A service plan about the importance of forgiving others and how that begins a healing process.
  • An article with stories of churches experiencing healing in worship as well as resources for planning services and art projects focusing on healing and hospitality.
  • One church created a healing tree, as they gave up hurts during Lent.
  • A Congregational Resources site provides this guide for Healing Prayer.
  • A story about Crescent Hill United Methodist Church discovering the connections between prayer and healing, as part of their Worship Renewal Grant.
  • From the perspective of his Navajo culture, Mark Charles reflects on the story of Jesus healing the bleeding woman.
  • "Jesus as Healer," a print and dvd resource of meditations and artwork based on New Testament healing stories.

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