Praying for Healing

Opening Responses
Reader	We gather in the name of the Father:
ALL	GOD AND CREATOR, THE ONE WHO LOVES US AND CALLS US INTO BEING THE ONE WHOSE GLORY IS REFLECTED IN A HUMAN BEING FULLY ALIVE.
Reader	We gather in the name of the Son:
ALL	SAVIOUR AND LORD DIVINE HEALER: WHOSE POWER CONFRONTED EVIL AND WHOSE TOUCH BROUGHT PEACE.
Reader	We gather in the name of the Spirit:
ALL	HOLY AND POWERFUL GATHERING ALL INTO HEALING IN THE SHADOW OF HER WINGS; BREATH OF GOD – FIRE OF GOD’S LOVE DRAWING US INTO WHOLENESS INTO THE HEART AND LIFE OF GOD.
Scripture Reading - John 3: 14-21 or any that speaks of God's love for humanity.

Music response	The group may like to sing an appropriate response – Alternatively choose a piece of music to encourage reflection on the Gospel (e.g. “God so loved the world” from Stainer’s Crucifixion,

Words from Dark Places

Choosing Light

Reader	We know that the power of darkness invades the hearts of men and women – and that the People of God is not immune from its influence.
ALL	WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE CHOSEN DARKNESS BUT KNOW TOO THAT GOD SENT HIS ONLY SON INTO THE WORLD SO THAT WE MAY NOT BE LOST TO THE DARKNESS.
Reader	The power of sin continues to corrupt the hearts and minds of men and women and the People of God – part of the human family – shares that vulnerability.
ALL	WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE POWER OF SIN BUT WE KNOW THAT GOD SENT HIS SON INTO THE WORLD NOT TO CONDEMN IT – OR US - BUT TO SAVE IT.
Reader	The power of death weighs heavily – and the People of God, charged with bringing life to the world has often failed.
ALL	WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN LIFE-GIVERS BUT WE KNOW THAT GOD SENT HIS SON INTO THE WORLD SO THAT ALL WHO BELIEVE IN HIM WILL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.
Reader	We are the People of God – we believe in the power of God to transform the world – we believe in the power of God to change us.
ALL	WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF GOD TO HELP US TO TURN AWAY FROM DARKNESS AND TO CHOOSE HIS OWN WONDERFUL LIGHT.
Reader	We light a light to show our choice – with the prayer that he enlightens the souls of those who do evil and brings light to the hearts of those who continue to suffer from abuse.
Each person lights a candle – they may use their own words – or select from these (Allow people a few moments to reflect on what they want to say)
	Lead your People into the light. May this light shine as a sign of my desire for the healing of those who have suffered abuse. May this light shine as a sign of my desire that those who have abused others – or who continue to do so – will be brought to the light of repentance. May this light shine as a sign of my love. May we always choose to live in the light.
When the candles are all lit, spend a few moments looking at them – perhaps with gentle music in the background

Closing Responses
Reader	We take the light of our prayer into the world
ALL	TO PRAY FOR THOSE UNABLE TO PRAY; TO OFFER OURSELVES AS ANSWERS TO PRAYER.
Reader	We take the light of our compassion into the world
ALL	TO COME ALONGSIDE THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING ANGUISH OF HEART ANGUISH OF MIND AND BE AS CHRIST FOR THEM
Reader	We take the light of God's power into the world
ALL	GOD'S POWER MADE PERFECT IN POWERLESSNESS STRENGTH MADE KNOWN IN WEAKNESS LIFE MADE KNOWN IN DYING
Reader	God enters the hearts of all who pray - and feel they are not heard suffers pain - humiliation - carries the burdens of the world and dies that we might live
	May our God bless us
ALL	THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
Reader	And until we meet again
ALL	MAY GOD HOLD US IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND.
	AMEN