This Sunday at 6pm, we will include prayers for healing as part of our service of Holy Communion.

The passage that we have reached as we work our way through Luke's gospel is Luke 18, where Jesus stops to talk to the blind beggar who has been crying out to him and asks 'What do you want me to do for you?'

It's a passage that reveals Jesus' identity as the Messiah/Saviour promised by the prophets, now sent by God. It shows how Jesus is willing and able to meet the deepest spiritual needs of those who cry out to him in faith. He is able to restore sight to the blind - to those inwardly and outwardly blind.

This Sunday, after coming up to take the bread and the wine, there will be the opportunity to be anointed with oil for healing. You won't need to explain why you would like prayer, simply allow a member of the team to anoint you with the sign of the cross and have them say a short prayer over you. It's an opportunity to bring our whole self before God - body, mind and spirit - in the context of worship and to ask that he would meet us at our deepest point of need.

In James 5 we read these words: Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you ill? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.'

Come along on Sunday evening - whether troubled, joyful or ill - as we sing, pray and ask for God's healing and help. If you're not able to come, then please join me in praying that all who come for prayer will leave with a sense of having met with Jesus and been deepened in faith by that experience.

Your friend and Vicar,

Mick