Liturgy On The Occasion Of An Illness

The following liturgy may be used in small or large family celebrations or in gatherings of the larger worshiping community. Adapt to local needs and customs.

Gathering

Leader: Dear friends, we have gathered together to pray for [Name], who is ill. We are reminded that Jesus demonstrated great compassion toward the sick. Let us now hear the instruction given by James regarding prayer for the sick:

"?Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up?" (5:14–15). Let us pray. Lord Jesus, we acknowledge your power over sickness and all disease, which you demonstrated when you were among us. Give us hearts that are open to your power. We pray in your name. Amen. The Scripture Readings

Reader 1: A reading from the Old Testament:

"?Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. And the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman's wife .… Then Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying '?Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.' … So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. The he returned to the man of God, he and all his aides, and came and stood before him; and he said, '?Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel?'?" (2 Kings 5:1–2, 9–10, 14–15). This is the word of the Lord. Response: Thanks be to God.

Reader 2: A reading from the Gospel according to Mark:

"?Then he came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to him, and begged him to touch him. So he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of town. And when he had spit on his eyes and put his hands on him, he asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up and said, '?I see men like trees, walking,?' Then he put his hands upon his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly?" (8:22–25).

This is the word of the Lord. Response: Thanks be to God. The Anointing and Prayer of Healing (The elders of the church and/or members of the family may gather around the sick person. After placing oil on the forehead of the person in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, place hands on the head, saying the following prayer:)

Leader: Let us pray.

O Lord, it is through your power that your Son Jesus healed the sick and gave new hope. Although we cannot presume upon your will, we do offer our prayer in faith for the healing of [Name]. In your will, grant wholeness of mind, body, and soul. Give peace and comfort to both the sick and the well, that we all may give glory to your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(As the people depart, they may greet the sick person with a Christian greeting, saying, "?The Lord be with you.?")