AN ALTERNATIVE ORDER OF SERVICE FOR SPIRITUAL HEALING

Background and Advice

THE GIFT AND COMMANDMENT OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them saying . . . As ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils; freely ye have received, freely give.

Matt.10: 1,5,7,8

THE WORDS OF THE APOSTLE JAMES

ls any sick among you? 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 shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins they shall be forgiven him. Pray for one another that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

James 5, 14-16

THE WORK OF SPIRITUAL HEALING

What is Spiritual Healing? Many people are now accustomed to this phrase, but they do not understand its deep meaning. The human body is prone to many weaknesses and diseases, and although much is done by the medical profession to relieve and to restore, there are many people who do not respond to medicines or to the treatments prescribed by the doctors. Sometimes these people can be greatly helped by attending Services where a direct appeal is made to the Divine within them. It cannot be over-emphasised that each individual represents body, mind and Spirit, but so often ministration is given to the body and the mind alone, and the great part of the Spirit is entirely left out.

Spiritual healers do not work in opposition to the medical profession, but sometimes they can supplement what is missing in orthodox treatment. They seek to train the minds of the patients so that their thoughts are focused upon the healing power of the Christ. By opening themselves to holy influence, in this way, great strength can come, which is manifested in a cheerful outlook on life and a stronger faith that God's ways are best. This has an enormous effect upon the aura which surrounds the physical body. Through the aura the individual can send out or take in rays which are either strong or weak, according to the instincts of the one concerned. Therefore, it will be seen at once that by putting the sufferer still more closely in touch with the Christ, the first step is attained towards regaining health.

We would emphasise further that physical health should not be stressed more than the spiritual health of the one concerned. A person can be physically strong and healthy and yet restless and at war with the rest of the world. On the other hand, there are many delicate people who radiate peace and something of real joy, and these advanced souls demonstrate that, in spite of a frail body, through their contact with God and the Angel world, they can rise above their disabilities.

So we answer the question with which we started - What is Spiritual Healing? There are many people with a dedicated attitude of mind who find they are very sensitive to Spirit influences. By prayer and self-discipline they are able to become channels through which healing Power can be passed by the unseen healers, who return to the Physical plane and are making tremendous efforts to succour those in the body who are ill and unhappy. There are many of these channels in the world today. They have varying degrees of sensitiveness and of devotion to their work, but one and all are blessed in the measure that they desire to help others and are willing to sacrifice personal comfort and their leisure in order to do so.

Over the centuries the physical body has had to withstand much in the way of war, ignorance of hygiene and poverty; and it is true that many who are suffering today are but victims of the conditions of the past, for the people of other times received no instruction as to the safeguarding of health.

There is, however, another important factor which has a terrible repercussion. Through the abuses of the body many men and women, who were strong themselves, incurred the great responsibility of bringing into being delicate and even maimed children; for lack of self-control, in whatever form it may be, does show eventually in the generations which follow after.

In regard to the healing of the sick we must never forget that the Holy Master was utterly selfless, and that Divine power came through Him unimpeded by anything in His own nature. God came as man to show us the highest that man could rise to, but it is obvious that very good people fall far short of the ideal. In spite of this, however, wonderful cures by spiritual healing have taken place, and a great effort is being made by thousands of healers to bring some measure of relief to those who are suffering so sorely.

It is our part to do all we can to purify our own characters and to influence those around us to seek ever for a higher standard of life, realising that the purer the instrument, the greater the volume of Divine power that can be poured through it.

On the other hand, it must not be overlooked that pain has its place in life, and those who suffer with patience through an inherited disease or through the misdeeds of their forebears, will pass into conditions of such beauty and power that they will count the price very slight in comparison with the great peace and happiness it has won.

So, in this great subject of spiritual healing, we are shown two aspects. Firstly, that by prayer and the laying on of hands by prepared instruments many cures have been effected, or, if a cure is not possible, relief has been given and the thoughts of the sufferers have been turned away from the disease of the body to the health which always can come to the soul; and that means that when such as these pass into the Light the next body that they inhabit will be full of power and grace.

Secondly, that healers should resist the temptation of disappointment over patients who do not seem to respond to their devoted ministration. They must remember that life on earth is not the beginning and end of everything. It is only a transitory stage, and that for many people the happiest day of their life comes to them when they emerge from limitations of the physical state into the freedom of Spirit Life.

We know that it is true that the sins of one generation are passed on to another, but emphasis must always be laid upon God's promise: "I will show mercy unto thousands who keep My Commandments." This reassurance does not necessarily apply to the healing of a weak physical body, but it does ensure that when it is laid aside health and strength and power will be the portion of those who have tried to bear their suffering patiently.

Healing Services take many forms. In the Orthodox Churches very often it comprises a short formal service, which includes prayer and concentration, but not necessarily the laying on of hands, which was a part of the early Christian Ministry (1 Timothy 4, 14). In other Churches the healing work also follows prayer and concentration for the absent sick, and may be preceded by a short service. Some healers are used in the trance state to give diagnosis and healing treatment, but the healing is often just as effective through an instrument who is not under control but is used inspirationally.

Although it may be helpful to observe how other healers work, it is not advisable for the would-be healer to attend a Healing Circle or Service with the sole idea of adopting the methods of others. We are all individual, and in the Spirit World the helpers work on different vibrations according to the make-up of the one they are trying to train.

The best way of releasing healing power when attending such a Circle is by quiet concentration on the great Healer of us all, and by praying, sending out thoughts to the sufferer who is needing help. In this way surprising results can come through the law which governs absent healing. The chief thing to remember is that the desire to help must be sincere, and that the patient is helped, although not necessarily in the way most desired by the healer.

Then we come to the patient's part over receiving spiritual healing. A very great deal depends upon the attitude of mind of the sufferer. Many make the mistake of thinking that everything can be left to the unseen healers and the instrument, but this is not so; a positive attitude of co-operation and a determination to make every effort to get well are essential. It is important, therefore, to emphasise these points as soon as possible after being introduced to the patient, so that no valuable time may be lost.

**The healing work should take place in an atmosphere of prayer and quiet expectation and confidence. It is important that there should be no talking, domestic affairs should be left outside, and those who attend for healing should not discuss their ailments with each other.

**It may be advisable to put up a notice that silence should be observed.

**Some responsible person should be in charge, to see that patients come up in an orderly manner to receive treatment. The central healer may have two assistants to help with the healing as directed. The power should be kept centralised around the Altar. The picture of the Holy Master, and the Altar, are focal points of concentration to which all can look and find upliftment. If patients are unable to walk they should be brought to the place where the healer can minister to them.

**Healers should use their inspiration and individual guidance as to the methods of the laying on of hands or of manipulation. Every endeavour should be made to keep the mind attuned to spiritual things, and always to remember that their body is as a channel through which the healing power passes. In the degree that material thoughts come in, or personal matters, so that channel may be clogged and the result minimised.

**Water is a symbol of purity. A ewer of water, basins and towels should be put in a convenient place, as it is the usual practice for the healer to wash his hands after each treatment. When necessary, it should be tactfully impressed upon the patient that cleanliness is closely associated with health, and also that it expresses respect for God's temple the physical body being the temple of the Spirit within.

**By experience it will be found that perhaps one healer is more successful with a patient than another. It does not mean that greater healing power is poured through this particular instrument but that the vibrations of the one who is ministering are in greater harmony with the sufferer. This attunement of vibration is a very important factor in the exercise of the gift of spiritual healing.

**Soft music, of a sacred character, played while the patients are going up or waiting for treatment, is very helpful.

**Wherever physically possible, patients should not be treated alone; there should always be at least one other person present.

**The true fount of healing is Love. If a healer feels that the power is ebbing, it is wiser to stop his ministrations and to concentrate on prayer, asking that relief may be given direct to those in pain.

ORDER OF HEALING SERVICE

**This Service should be conducted with such order, dignity and reverence as befits the approach to receive the benefits of Divine Power. Those entering the Church or Circle should do so quietly. The rule of silence should be observed. Punctual attendance is desired to avoid disturbance, and those who can do so, should remain until the end of the Service.

OPENING HYMN

**Then the minister will say:

LET US PRAY

OUR Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we for-give those who trespass against us. When in temptation Thy love sustains us, and deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory; For ever and ever. Amen.

MOST merciful Father, we Thy children approach Thee with humbleness of heart, beseeching Thee that Thou wilt send down upon those gathered here that manifestation of healing power which they would have. Help us, O Christ, so to give out from ourselves that we may be able to touch the fringe of Thy Holiness, that we may indeed be banded together in a spirit of peace, and that the cloak of peace may be folded around us as we take our daily way.

GRANT that the troubled may realise that they can possess the riches of the Spirit; grant that the sick may have this revelation - that the sickness of the body need not necessarily be the sickness of the soul. And, O Divine Spirit of Love, let those who wander, seeking for that which they know not, be led out of the dimness of not knowing into the light of understanding; grant that the Door may open and that they may enter in.

BEQUEATH to these, Thy children, joy of heart and a sweet sense of achievement because the road has been hard, because they have seemed to have asked in vain for that which the mind of the body craves. Be it unto them that the sorrows of the past are shown as the gentle dew under which the flowers of the Spirit shall be nourished and which shall gladden the earth.

THESE humble petitions we make to Thee, Lord, not because of our worthiness but because Thou art our Father and our Mother, and Thou hast drawn us to Thee by the bonds of Love. Amen.

BIBLE READING

**It is suggested that a short reading be given from St. John's Gospel, or one of the narratives of Christ's healing work.

**Then follows this prayer for the Absent Sick and concentration for those whose names are entered in the special book kept for this purpose.

**The Minister will then say:

LET US PRAY

O HEAVENLY Father, because we know that Thy love is infinite, we ask Thee to direct rays of Divine Healing upon those who are suffering and are unable to gather into this temple of peace. Help us to understand the law of brotherhood in greater measure, so that the spiritual self within may be able to send to them in their own homes healing power. We remember the words of Christ to bear each other's burdens, and we know that in the degree that we can eliminate self and focus in love upon these sufferers, so the healing rays will be felt by them and do their part in mitigating their suffering.

AS we pray that this help may come, in confidence we leave them to Thy most loving care, asking all things in the Name of Jesus the Christ, the great Healer of us all. Amen.

**The Minister may take the Book of Names of the Sick in his hands, and lifting it up, may say:

WE offer unto Thee, O Father, the names in this book of Thy children who stand in need of Thy care. Amen.

**While it is the practise in many healing circles to read out the names of the sick, this is not essential. Those in Spirit are already aware of the personal details in each case and the help given is not dependent upon the names of the patients being read or an indication of their complaints. Furthermore, it must be remembered that the healing work goes on continuously from the time the Service begins, as those with clairvoyant vision will testify. In the silence which follows, each one should concentrate on the sufferer they want to help.

**Here follows a moment or two's silence.

A PRAYER FOR HOSPITALS

O GOD our Heavenly Father, the Comforter of all who suffer, the Strength of all who serve, we ask Thy blessing on those places where Thy children lie on beds of sickness, in hospitals or homes. We ask that wisdom and power may be given to the doctors and nurses, so that those who are laid aside for a while may be helped and strengthened. Bless them with Thy loving power, and inspire those who minister to the sick, so that success may attend their efforts, courage may come to their hearts, steadiness to their fingers, and healing to their hands. All these things we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

HYMN

(Appropriate; "Blest are the pure in heart.")

**The patients will now come up for treatment.

**When all treatments are finished the Minister will close with this prayer:

MASTER, we turn to Thee in deep humility, thanking Thee that Thou art so willing to give, that Thou art so patient, that Thou art so understanding. And, as we thank Thee, there descends upon us something of gladness, something of peace; and we turn to the tasks of daily life renewed, replenished, recharged with that bestowed by Thee. O Gracious God, O most loving Spirit, Thy grace indeed is sufficient for each and every one. Amen.

**The Minister will then let the people depart with this blessing:

The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen.

CONTENTS OF THE SERVICES BOOK