Healing Prayer at St. Augustine’s

St. A.’s offers healing prayer on the first Sunday of each month during the 9:30 am service in the Chapel. All those seeking physical, spiritual, or emotional healing for themselves or on behalf of others are invited to the chapel during the Eucharist to receive prayer from a clergy person or trained lay minister.

What is healing prayer?

Healing prayer is a rich practice in the Anglican tradition, grounded in the healing ministry of Jesus, and practiced by the earliest Christ-followers. The Letter of James describes a Christian community in which the elders of the faith pray over the sick and suffering and anoint them with oil, and the entire community supports one another in prayer and forgives one another’s sins (James 5:13-16). Following this tradition, our Episcopal rites provide for healing prayer and offer ministers the option to lay hands on the person they are praying for and to anoint them with oil. At St. Augustine’s we will use chrism oil that has been blessed by Bishop Clark, the same oil used in baptisms. Both the laying on of hands and the chrism oil are tangible reminders of Christ’s love made known in his Church and in his own suffering, death, and resurrection.

What can I expect?

You may come to the chapel directly after receiving communion or come without receiving communion. Two healing ministers will be present in the chapel, with at least one clergy person available. When you enter you may kneel or stand as you wish. If both ministers are receiving others, please wait in the pews.

The minister will greet you and ask you what you wish to pray for. Your prayer requests are entirely confidential. You may also receive healing prayer without sharing any specifics with the minister.

The minister may ask if they can put their hands on your shoulders or head or anoint your forehead with oil. If you do not prefer this, just let them know—no big deal. While these practices are part of our Christian tradition, they are not essential for us to experience the healing love of God. Each minister has their own style, but all try to mirror your words as they pray with you for what you have asked.

What can I ask about?
People often seek healing prayer for illness, pain, medical procedures, emotional or spiritual distress, hurting relationships. Nothing is too small and ordinary or too big and scary to ask for God’s healing presence. You may ask for prayer for yourself or on behalf of someone else.

Will I feel differently? What if I don’t feel anything or feel any different?

There is no prescribed norm for how you should feel or be. Receiving prayer from another person is sacred in and of itself, and there is no pressure to feel or respond in a particular way. Our liturgies make space for a wide variety of emotions and experiences, and we trust the Holy Spirit is present and active as we pray regardless of how we are feeling.

How do I get involved?

Do you have a gift for healing prayer and feel called to this ministry? Reach out to Shannon Page at shannon.page@staschurch.org.