Prayers for Wholeness
Prayers for Wholeness
Lent is the time the Church guides us to thinking particularly about our spiritual growth. We may fast from food at times, or take on spiritual disciplines of using our time in prayer, in reading, in being with people, or in giving to others. In doing so, we may find that inner difficulties are exposed, and we don’t know what to do about them.
These inner blocks come to the surface because the Lord has allowed them to do so, and that indicates His love for us and His desire to deal with them. They may be deep hurts, things unforgiven, attitudes we hadn’t previously seen – in fact anything which is a block in our spiritual growth. Sometimes the realisation itself brings forgiveness and release. If it doesn’t however, there are several ways forward.
One of these ways is the ministry of the whole church in prayer for wholeness and healing, bringing the new life that comes from Jesus’ death on the cross and his resurrection.
On the Sundays in Lent we will be offering prayer for wholeness and healing during the main Eucharist. One of the clergy will be in the side chapel to offer prayer for anyone who asks for the Lord to meet their needs. We will also offer anointing as the sign of the Holy Spirit at work to bring us to wholeness.
Please do consider if seeking prayer in this way is right for you. You may want to come for prayer at the beginning of Lent as your commitment to growth, and at any time, each week if you want, for prayer for any need of desire for growth. It may be once, it may be several times that you come. (You may also want to seek formal confession, being offered on Holy Saturday. Either may be sought separately, or both received; they are often complementary within Jesus’ love for us expressed in the ministry of the church.)
And the practicalities – receive communion in the usual way, then make your way to the side chapel, where you will be given individual time to state your need if you want to, followed by personal prayer. The priest will remain till everyone who comes forward has had time given to them, even if this means continuing after the end of the service.
There will probably be people longing to receive an encounter with the Lord in this way, and also some of you unsure, and some who don’t like the idea. This is a ministry that many find very valuable for their spiritual growth and physical well-being, and there is nothing to be afraid of!
As is also said over formal confession, “All may, some should, none must.” Let’s not miss the blessings the Lord has for us!
