Photo by Barbara Hemphill: flickr.com/photos/jimmah_v
I was looking for a pamphlet I wrote years ago concerning healing prayer, and I came across a service I had written for a lay person to use in healing ministry. At the end of the service were some blessings that I really liked. In fact, I liked them so much that when I re-discovered them a few days ago, I wasn't sure I was the author! So I tried googling first lines. When I couldn't find anything online about them, and vaguely remembering the experience of writing the service, I decided that they are indeed original.
I have copied the blessings below. For the full context, please see the service outline here.
The emphasis in these blessings, and in the service itself, is on accepting God's presence and power already here at work in the world. Many healing prayers plead with God to "come down" and do something here, as if God were somewhere beyond us, holding back grace until we call his attention to our need. The saints and the Bible tell us that God is nearer to us than we are to ourselves (see Deuteronomy 30:14 and Psalm 139). So, these blessings turn those prayers upside down and instead focus on our receptivity, in the faith that God is always more ready to give than we are to receive, that indeed God's gifts already abound in this world. Ah! If only we had eyes to see them and hearts wide open to grace!
Blessing (one or more of the following may be used)
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God has given you a spirit of power, love, and soundness of mind.
May this spirit now dwelling within you
flow freely through your life,
releasing compassion, wisdom, and health of body and soul.
Welcome the spirit of Christ.
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The true Light, which enlightens everyone, has come into the world.
May the divine radiance within you enlighten your mind.
May its energy strengthen your body.
May its fire ignite your spirit.
Walk as a child of the Light.
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, overflowing in steadfast love,
the source of all goodness.
May God’s mercy within you dissolve your guilt,
God’s gentleness within you calm your fear,
God’s love within you soothe your anger.
Be filled with the peace of Christ.
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May the kingdom of God, in all its beauty, surround you.
May the kingdom of God, in all its wisdom, guide you.
May the kingdom of God, in all its power, heal you.
Now and forever.
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Blessed is your body, the temple of God’s Spirit.
Blessed is your mind, the mind of Christ.
Blessed is your spirit, the breath of the Father.
You are radiance of holy light.
