Healing Discovery
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And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing. (Luke 9 v1-2) There are regular Healing Discovery Meetings throughout the year to which everyone is welcome, regardless of church tradition or denomination or any faith at all. There is worship, praise and prayer, perhaps a bible study or other presentation as well as time for healing prayer for those who request it. The group that attends these meetings number up to 40 and there is no pressure to participate or be actively involved. Some folk come to learn more about Christian Healing, others to testify to healing in their lives, other wish to practise and extend their own gifts of healing and laying on hands and others just wish to watch and witness. There are no criteria for coming along! If you are interested in coming to the next meeting, watch this space for the next date but in the meantime if you would like to know more or would like Healing Prayer please come to the Parish Church on a Wednesday morning. There is a Said Communion at 09.30am, after which there is a time of fellowship with refreshments plus the opportunity for Healing Prayer with Nick, the Rector, and other members of the group. Everything is confidential, and everyone is welcome. You don’t have to attend the service but can come along afterwards if you wish. If you’d like to contact Nick privately for Healing Prayer, then call or email him directly: Email: - nickevans49@btinternet.com Tel: - 01908 612244 / 07769 550204
Frequently asked questions about Christian Healing: Do I need to be ‘religious’ or a church goer to experience healing? No! Healing comes from God and is dependent upon the faith and gifts of the healer and NOT upon the person being healed. You don’t need to be a spiritual giant or religious freak but being relaxed and open minded can help the process of healing! Try to have a positive outlook during your healing session but don’t worry if you’re feeling gloomy when you come in. Healing is done in a friendly and relaxed environment. Why is it needed? We have doctors, nurses and medical services to help us. Healing is not an alternative to medical care. It is complementary to medicine. All healing comes from God, whether through the skills of medicine, through prayer and sacrament, healing words or touch. Is this something new? No. It was the normal practice of the early church and continued through the early centuries. It fell into disuse during Mediaeval Times. Its use was revived by the Church of England in the 19th Century and is now found in most cathedrals and parish churches as well as in many other denominations. How did it start? It started with Jesus who healed the sick and suffering. The Church continued his ministry through Communion, prayer, laying on of hands and anointing with Holy Oil blessed by a priest or bishop. The love and care of the Christian community can also help with healing. The Church was responsible for the first hospitals (e.g. St Bartholemew’s London) and still today provides much of the medical care in many undeveloped countries. What happens during a healing session? You sit quietly, try to relax in silence or with gentle background music playing. Then two people who are gifted in this area lay hands on your shoulders or the sick part of the body if appropriate! They quietly pray for several minutes or longer. You may experience heat or cold from their hands or tingling sensations—which is usually a sign that something positive is happening. If you don’t experience such things then it doesn’t mean that nothing is happening. Everyone is different! Anything you share about your physical or mental difficulties is treated confidentially since sometimes folk ask for prayer for relationship problems concerning their family or friends. Healing can still work if you don’t share anything at all though! What are the results? Recovery from disease may be speeded up. Sometimes people are helped to accept their illness or disability along with a deep sense of peace within. Sometimes God steps in where medical science has exhausted all other healing avenues. God is able to touch the parts the doctors cannot reach! Some people may suddenly feel very emotional during healing. Don’t be embarrassed by this because this can be a sign of a long standing problem rising to the surface. Tears can be a sign of inner healing taking place. We all carry some psychological baggage from the past around with us which may need God’s healing touch. If you feel emotional the healers won’t pry and snoop unless you want to share something. You may want to talk to the clergy alone at a later date due to something that arose in your heart during your healing session. That can easily be arranged. The only ‘side effects’ of healing are positive ones. You may feel sleepy or relaxed! The authority for healing is in the Bible: Are any among you suffering? Is there a financial cost for a healing session? Absolutely not! Some like to make a small donation but this is not expected or required.
FINALLY—ENJOY YOUR HEALING EXPERIENCE! God only wants the very best for you! |
As Jesus empowered his disciples so he empowers us today: