Healing Prayer Ministry
The Healing Prayer Ministry has been meeting every Tuesday at 7 PM for Mass and a Healing Service since its founding in April 2004. We pray with and for anyone who has requested our prayers for healing of spirit, mind and body. All are welcome to join us in prayer. We are planning to offer training for prayer ministers and invite those pursuing healing occupations or healing ministry to contact us for information. Students who are considering careers in health occupations may also be interested.
Parish Catechetical Leaders met at the Diocesan Retreat Center in Hickory to learn about the forthcoming United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. This very readable publication could be appreciated by small discussion groups and adults pursuing lifelong learning and spiritual enrichment. On May 11th three members of St. Michael’ s Adult Enrichment Committee attended this training conducted by a priest from the Diocese of Brooklyn who has been the Rector of their Huntington Seminary on Long Island and a Vatican advisor. You can read a sample chapter of this book at the US Bishops website, www.usccb.com
MISSION STATEMENT
Healing Prayer Ministry St. Michael’s Church
The mission of Christian people, each with our unique gifts and talents, is to love and serve God and our
neighbor.
For all participating as regular members or visitors, we ask that:
With acceptance and love we encourage in each other a developing hope and an inspiring faith.
With open discussion of our personal beliefs and concerns, that we encourage a search for suitable
responses to the needs expressed in all prayer requests.
Through reflection on God’s Word and in prayer, we will search for enlightenment, inspiration and a
closer relationship with God, trust in His grace, and in the guidance of His Holy Spirit.
Through worthwhile spiritual practices, readings, study and discussion we will increase our
understanding of the principles of the Christian faith.
With awareness that Jesus came to bring us Abundant Life, we will engage in lifelong learning and personal growth to promote our health in spirit, mind and body.
With regular and devout participation in prayer and the sacraments we will seek grace, healing and
protection for ourselves, our families, communities, our nation and the world.
With increasing awareness and understanding of the many and varied healing methods, techniques
and forces that God has made available to us, we will endeavor to disseminate such information and to encourage the use of holistic health practices.
With encouragement and support we will advocate that those seeking healing adopt an active participation in their healing rather than exclusively a passive receptivity.
By providing accurate information we will endeavor to increase awareness and understanding of
God’s covenant with us, His expectations of us, and His promises of Abundant Life.
With accurate presentations regarding the efficacy of prayer and the many excellent prayer methods
and practices, we will encourage their use and dispel the misunderstandings and doubts that may occur
in the minds of some.
By teaching the relevance of spiritual health we hope to respond to God’s command to serve Him
and our neighbor, and to enhance the overall delivery of health services by advocating that prayer be included as a complement to regular medical treatment.
By our personal reflection and meditation we seek to become more aware of our own imperfections
and better instruments of God’s love and healing grace.
By practicing the virtues of love, hope, faith, forgiveness, repentance, non-judging acceptance, etc., we
may better imitate Christ and grow closer in unity to Him.
General Format for
Prayer Service for Healing of Body, Mind and Spirit
Background: The Healing Prayer Ministry welcomes anyone wanting prayer and anyone wishing to
participate in our group prayer. The meetings are typically conducted following a Mass, or if a priest is not available, a Communion Service. After the preliminary gathering we arrange chairs in a circle to facilitate communication (since some do not speak or hear at normal volume levels, and the closer proximity also improves eye contact and reading of body language).
I.A. PRAISE. Opening (with silent reflection for about a minute of less). “We bring ourselves into God’s presence. Consider now your own personal needs and also the needs of others you know who you want
to pray for.”
B.Gathering Prayer
The first reader selects one or two short readings totaling about 8 to 15 lines from the PRAISE section
of our Healing Prayer Manual. This selection is read at a moderate pace so that those listening can follow
and reflect on the relevance of the words.
Pause following the reading to allow anyone in the group to speak very briefly of any personal response they may have had to the Word.
II.A. PETITION. The second reader selects one or two readings from the PETITION section of the HP Manual. This is read.
B. Sharing of Prayer Intentions and Praise Reports. These are kept brief. This is not a time for discussion
or lengthy narratives.
C. Prayer for individuals present or for others. The group gathers around and prays with laying on of hands and also includes prayer for intentions listed in our HP Prayer Registry.
D. Brief announcements, Qs and As, and/or Brief Discussion.
III. A Closing. The third reader chooses a selection from the THANKSGIVING section of the HP Manual.
This is read.
B. “Does anyone have a reflection or reaction to any part of today’s readings that they believe is worth
sharing with the group?” (Wait for a response).
C. The meeting ends. The room is restored to its original configuration, etc.
Doors are secured, etc.
NOTE: This general format for meetings was created to facilitate the smooth progress of the weekly meetings of the HPM. This format may be modified or adapted whenever appropriate or necessary. There is value in and a need to keep the meetings relatively brief so that they do not ramble on too long.
It seems that God appreciates brief and frequent (daily) prayers as much as, if not more than, prayer
at great length. He knows what we need, but appreciates that we take the time to call. He loves to hear from His loved ones. Thank you, Lord!