Laying on of Hands

Laying on of Hands Have you ever wanted to go deeper on a journey of healing and closeness with Christ? Recently I wrote a simple prayer that helps us do this!

The practice of laying on of hands for healing and impartation is a basic Christian teaching. But sometimes we need prayer, and the church isn't available... maybe we're social distancing during a pandemic, or another believer isn't close by. Maybe it's a good time to lay hands on ourselves and begin to call upon the Lord, asking for his hand to be placed on our lives. Just as King David called on his soul to bless the Lord, we can ask the Father to heal and strengthen our bodies and souls.

Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Psalm 103:1

Recently I felt led to pray in a creative way, literally laying hands on myself and praying Biblical attributes. God is so creative, and he's offered so many metaphors of relationship. For instance, some of us resonate with God as Father, while others may connect more with him as the Creator. He calls us children, clay, sheep, servants, bride, branch, and priests, and more.

While praying this week, I started laying hands on my heart and speaking out loud. Just as David in the psalms spoke to his soul, commanding it to bless the Lord, I started thinking of Biblical themes to speak over myself. Grabbing a piece of copy paper and a pen, I wrote this prayer:

Temple- be filled with the Holy Spirit
Child- receive the Father's love
Sheep- hear the Shepherd's voice
Branch- be connected to the vine
Disciple- be taught of Christ
Beloved- receive the King's love
Servant- be yoked with the Master
Clay- yield to the Potter's touch
Creation- be fully redeemed by Christ and connected to the Creator
Mind- be renewed
Warrior- be clothed with the armor of God
Priest- offer spiritual sacrifices of praise
King/Queen: release the Kingdom, on earth as in heaven

At each phrase, I paused to identify with the Lord in this way. What does it look like to invite him into my life in this manner? How do I receive his love? How do I partner with him and give back? It became a deep exercise in prayer, identifying with the Lord in ways that he himself has introduced in his Word. As I did, I sensed the hand of the Lord strengthening and filling me.
If you feel a little disconnected from the Body of Christ, remember that God is still with you. Maybe you need to lay hands on yourself today! Feel free to use this prayer, or create your own this week, as you call your heart to healing and worship.