We were all heartbroken. Ben and Debbie had been away at a trade show when he became ill. Seriously ill. After a few days which were filled with many tests and doctor’s visits, Ben was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. His family’s faith was strong, but they were devastated. He had three sons in my youth group, they were heartbroken and filled with fear. Our church was overcome with sorrow, for this deacon and community leader, who was the picture of health, was facing a terminal illness.
I was in seminary and working at the church where Ben and Debbie had been members for many years, and I experienced something for the first time. The pastor called everyone together on a Sunday morning and we all prayed over Ben. Deacons prayed. Staff prayed. His family prayed. We laid hands on him, and we prayed for him. And then the pastor, he anointed Ben with oil, symbolizing healing and God’s Holy Spirit touching his body and life.
In the book of James the writer encourages the church:
“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. 15 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.”
This Sunday in worship we will pray for healing. Worshipers will be invited during the final hymn to come forward for a prayer of blessing and to be anointed with oil. As is always the case at May Memorial, no one will feel any pressure to do anything outside of their comfort zone. But maybe you have had a difficult season, maybe you are praying for healing for yourself, for someone you love, or healing for our community, nation, world. Maybe you simply feel tired and exhausted, you feel as if you have just about “run out of gas” and you don’t know how you will make it through this holiday season. Maybe you will sense God calling you to come forward to be prayed for, that God will bring healing and wholeness.
We are called to pray for one another, and this Sunday will be a visible way that this plays out among God’s people. For “the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.”