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HEALING
Frequently
Asked Questions
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
the Dark
Ages. 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 (eg St Bartholemew`s London) and
still
today provides much of the medical care in many Third World 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?
They should pray. Are any
cheerful?
They sould 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.
. . .pray for one another
so that you may be healed.
The prayer of the righteous is
powerful and effective.
(James 5 v
13-16)
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!
Myself and the
healing team who are usually about
on Tuesday and Thursday am when folk can just drop into the coffee shop
without
an appointment for healing.
Healing can
also be done by appointment by ringing
me on 0121 475 4874.
Nick Evans/Vicar
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