Celtic Healing Service
A Healing and Wholeness offering with Ancient Roots
The ancient Celtic Healing service is in regular use in the Iona Community off the west coast of Scotland.
This service is made from four elements coming together. First, one of the most important symbols in Celtic Christianity is the circle - It appears around the cross-beam of celtic crosses and in many other places. The Celtic circle represents love, eternity and God - the everlasting which has no beginning and no end. It is from this symbol of never ending love that we derive the modern wedding ring. Second, one of the benefits to us of the cross of Christ is that, through grace, we are clothed with his righteousness, covering us like a robe in the presence of God. Thirdly, Anointing oil, used as a Sacrament of Healing for at least two thousand years and mentioned in James 5:14. Last, the gathered body of Christ. It is believed that since Jesus, although we are all individually known to God, our collective hopes and prayer are as lightening conductors for the receiving of grace in the heavenly realms.
A number of cushions or kneelers are arranged in a circle in the front of the sanctuary as prayer positions. Members of the congregation are invited, as the Spirit moves them, to take up one of these prayer stations. Inside the ring of cushions or kneelers are three ministers who address each person in the circle in turn.
First a light shawl representing the robe of righteousness is gently placed around their shoulders and drawn up onto the top of the head.
The second minister in the circle then anoints each robed forehead with the sign of the cross. At this point the third minister leads the congregation in a communal prayer for healing, the same prayer for each individual. In this way the whole body gathered becomes involved in the ministry. When standing or kneeling in the circle, members of the congregation are then free to remain there as long as they so wish to receive further prayer from the ministers that will soak them in the grace of God.
The prayer of healing is:
Spirit of the living God
Flow into your beloved child
Heal in you everything that harms you
Strengthen everything that is weak
And lift your heart to reflect his glory. Amen