The Churches of

Hipswell Parish

Parish of Hipswell Healing Services

Celtic Cross

St John’s Church hold a healing service at 6pm on the second Saturday of each month.

The style of the service will be quiet and contemplative with plenty of time for reflection and will include Holy Communion, laying on of hands, anointing and prayer ministry.

The services have been arranged in response to requests from people in the congregation and the local community. We hope that they will give people an opportunity to bring their difficulties before God and to receive his love and care.  God wants all of us to know more of his love and this service offers a quiet and different way of becoming deeply aware of God. Perhaps you’re feeling overwhelmed, perhaps your life isn’t going the way you’d like, perhaps you’re ill or grieving. You may be the kind of person who enjoys being with God in a quiet or healing way.

For further information contact Revd Jan Kearton (see our 'Contact Us' page for contact details)

Questions about Healing

What are we doing when we pray for healing?

We worship a God who has created us in his image, loves us as his children and longs to draw us into a relationship with him. When we pray for healing we are bringing ourselves, or those for whom we pray, into the loving presence of God. We don’t know what the outcome will be: occasionally prayers for healing are answered with a sudden and complete healing but more often there will be some degree of healing on a physical, psychological or spiritual level. Even when there seems to be little hope of a cure it is good to pray for comfort and peace for the sick person, for their family and for all those involved in their care.

What does the Bible say about healing?

Miraculous healings were an important part of Jesus’ ministry. During his ministry he restored sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf, helped a paralysed man to walk again, healed those suffering from leprosy and even raised the dead.

But curing physical ailments was not the only way in which Jesus brought about healing in those he encountered. Just as important as the physical cure was the restoration of individuals who had been excluded to their rightful place within the community. For example the lepers whom Jesus healed were no longer outcasts but could return to their homes and their families.  

What about other kinds of healing?

God heals people in many ways, including through the work of the medical and caring professions. When we are ill we naturally turn to the medical services which form a large part of God’s provision for us. Prayers for healing work alongside the care which is provided through our doctors and nurses.  

Why does God allow suffering?

There are no easy answers to this question. Sickness, pain and suffering can be very difficult to endure and can cause us to question the goodness of God or even whether he exists at all. We may find inspiration in the example of others who have a faith which has remained strong through many difficulties. We may also find that when we are feeling most burdened we find a new sense of reliance on God as we ask him to help us carry that load.

Prayer for Healing

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who wake or watch or weep tonight, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend those who are sick, Lord Christ; give rest to those who are weary; bless those who are dying; soothe those who are suffering; pity those who are afflicted; shield those who are joyous; and all, for your love’s sake. Amen.

Augustine of Hippo

Healing Hands

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