Intercessory Prayer and Anointing

Laying hands on the sick was a common practice in the Early Church. In the Gospels of Mark and Luke, we see Jesus lay hands on people before healing them. Paul laid hands on the sick for healing. Jesus said concerning his followers “They will place their hands on the sick, that they may be made well.” In the Letter of James, we find “first of all, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.”

Our Book of Common Prayer states, “Unction is the rite of anointing the sick with oil, or the laying on of hands, by which God’s grace is given for the healing of spirit, mind, and body.” As Christians, we recognize that there is a difference between being healed and being cured. In the sacrament of Unction, we pray for healing and wholeness, which may or may not include a physical cure.

Before our COVID-19 restrictions, the Cathedral was able to continue this practice with designated and instructed members praying for us after receiving Communion, at the altar rail in our transept chapels. We will continue this much-needed ministry this Sunday at both morning services in the north transept Chapel of the Holy Communion. If you wish to be prayed for, please go to the Chapel altar rail and one of our Intercessors will pray with you. If you desire, you can also be anointed as an outward sign of God’s presence and unlimited and eternal love for you and those for whom you pray.

Here’s what all of this looks like. It was in town on 103rd Street. Our desires and needs on Church Street will be different, but God’s love never changes. A big-bearded, neck-tattooed, gruff-looking man ambled to the little chapel. His black jacket covered with racing emblems told me he was a biker. I braced for what I thought might be a bit strange conversation. Quiet at first; he then said, “He’s dead…. and I’m mad as a ____________. They had no right to do that…….. I don’t know what to do.” He quickly told me what happened and then looked at me. I said nothing. “God knows why I’m here…. in church…. I ain’t so good. I’m bad.” “I ain’t so good either,” I said .“Glad God loves us anyway.” Silence. “_____ He don’t love me.” Silence. “You got a kid,” I asked. “Yea, she got one…a girl. Might be mine.” “You ever take care of her?” “If the ‘misses’ gone.”

“She ever cry?” “_______yea.” “What you do?” “I let her cry a bit.” “Ever pick her up?” “Yup… she finally stops crying.” “You love her, don’t ya?” “Yup.” Then he cried. “I don’t really know what to do either. But we’re gonna pray. As best we can, we’re gonna pray God picks you up. Because He loves you.” I asked him if he wanted to be anointed. “Nah, too spooky.”

Back to us on Sunday morning…

After communion, you might want to share your hurt or concern with an Intercessor. Maybe not. It’s totally confidential. Anointing isn’t spooky. It’s a tangible way to feel God’s love and desire for our wholeness in the very midst of our deepest needs. We all want that, don’t we?

In Christ,

Father Gee