Icon – jesus heals the blind man
So many of my friends seem to be ill at the moment that I have been using this litany of healing on a regular basis and thought that some of you might appreciate it too. I wrote this litany several years ago as part of the e-book A Journey Into God’s Resurrection Created World.
Loving and compassionate God,
Lord of all health and wholeness
We are fearfully and wonderfully made
Thank you for your miracle of healing
You gift our bodies with incredible means of protection and repair
Immune systems that shield and heal us
Wounds that heal, bones that knit, tissues that repair themselves
Thank you for your miracle of healing
You gift our world with plants and herbs that cure our diseases
They provide our medicines and pain killers
They form the basis of our antibiotics and antiseptics
Thank you for your miracle of healing
You gift our lives with your healing life
Your Cross that saves and redeems us
The bread and wine that draws us into your presence
Thank you for your miracle of healing
Pause to remind yourself of times at which you have experienced God’s healing presence.
Scripture readings
Psalm 139
Exodus 15: 22-27
Matthew 8: 14-17
James 5: 13 – 16
God you are the great physician but often you use others as your instruments of healing. Today we honour doctors and nurses and all that cooperate with God in the healing process in the words of Ecclesiasticus 38:1-15
Hold the physician in honour, for he is essential to you,
and God it was who established his profession.
From God the doctor has his wisdom, and the king provides for his sustenance.
His knowledge makes the doctor distinguished, and gives him access to those in authority.
God makes the earth yield healing herbs which the prudent man should not neglect;
Was not the water sweetened by a twig that men might learn his power?
He endows men with the knowledge to glory in his mighty works,
Through which the doctor eases pain and the druggist prepares his medicines;
Thus God’s creative work continues without cease in its efficacy on the surface of the earth.
My son when you are ill, delay not, but pray to God, who will heal you;
Flee wickedness; let you hands be just, cleanse your heart of every sin;
Offer your sweet-smelling oblation and petition, a rich offering according to your means.
Then give the doctor his place lest he leave; for you need him too.
There are times that give him an advantage, and he too beseeched God
That his diagnosis may be correct and his treatment bring about a cure.
He who is a sinner toward his Maker will be defiant toward the doctor.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen
Pause to pray for those who are in need of healing
Jesus you came to save and heal us
You healed the sick and raised the dead,
You touched lepers and outcasts,
Heal those we love who are sick today.
Jesus you came to save and heal us.
You stopped on the way to the rich man’s daughter,
To heal the woman abandoned and despised because of an issue of blood,
May we reach out to help all who suffer from AIDS and malaria and TB today.
Jesus you came to save and heal us
You raised a poor woman’s son from death,
And promised that one day all children will have a full life,
Be with those who have cancer and chronic illnesses today.
Jesus you came to save and heal us
You gave you disciples power to cure disease,
And sent them out to heal the sick and to preach the good news of the kingdom,
Be with those who suffer from mental illnesses today.
Jesus you came to save and heal us
May we too be worthy disciples and become your caring hands,
Anointing others with your healing balm and binging them to health and wholeness.
Give wisdom to those who suffer from allergies and food intolerances today.
Jesus you came to save and heal us, have mercy on us.
God you heal our wounds and cure our diseases. May we never take for granted your healing touch or the wonderful systems you have placed within our bodies to keep us healthy. May we never take for granted the wonder of tissues that heal and bones that knit. May we view with awe our immune systems that destroy bacteria and viruses. May we embrace with gratitude the medicinal plants that give birth to antibiotics, heart stimulants and pain killers. May we never reject the power of your body that was broken and your blood that was shed to bring us wholeness.
God of health,
God of wholeness,
God of love
Heal our bodies
Heal our souls
Heal our spirits
Redeem our lives
Go into the world knowing you are touched by the God who heals
May your life shine with the holiness of God
Let your heart be transformed by the peace of Christ
Let your ways be filled with the joy of the spirit
Amen
I wrote this litany several years ago as part of the e-book An Easter Celebration. It was also posted as part of a series on healing. Here are the other articles in the series:
What does the Bible Say About Doctors and Healing