Ezekiel 42-43 / James 5 / Psalm 119:1-16 / Proverbs 28:6-7
Some churches practice the laying on of hands for various reasons. Prayers are normally offered when hands are laid upon someone. These prayers are for healing, encouragement, sending someone out on a short-term or long-term mission or endeavor, or releasing someone into a ministry. Apart from the fact that human touch is beneficial, what other benefit would there be in laying hands on someone?
I’ve had hands laid on me many times by those who have prayed; I’ve received love, warmth, encouragement, healing, strength, and many other things. I’ve even been prayed for while being embraced in a hug. Humans need physical contact with others. This need for physical contact begins at birth. Babies who are held, cuddled, rocked, and fed regularly thrive. Those who do not receive these things do not do well and some even die.
What about adults? Could adults who do not receive human touch also die? In some of the articles I read, contact with others can make your immune system strong, give you bodily strength, and may help avoid some cardiovascular diseases.
So, from the youngest to the oldest, we must remember to embrace and affirm those we love. When we do, we are making them physically healthier!
James 5:13-16 leads us through a few scenarios of prayer. Here are those verses: “Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.” New Living Translation (NLT).
If one is suffering; she should pray. If one is happy; she should sing. If one is sick, she should ask for prayer. The prayer for the sick may include anointing with oil. And while this verse does not specifically mention the laying on of hands, that has been my experience. Sometimes during that prayer, God will speak over that person. Whether addressing their emotional and/or physical healing, or toward something that will give her strength.
We certainly need to be strengthened during these days on earth! Many are feeling the pressure of the natural chaos as well as the spiritual battle all around us. This reminds me of another scripture that encourages us toward giving each other needed strength.
Hebrews 3:12-14 says, “So search your hearts every day, my brothers and sisters, and make sure that none of you has evil or unbelief hiding within you. For it will lead you astray and make you unresponsive to the living God. This is the time to encourage each other to never be stubborn or hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. For we are mingled with the Messiah, if we will continue unshaken in this confident assurance from the beginning until the end.” The Passion Translation (TPT).
We need to encourage each other. Yes, this is a need. If we fail to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ, they may be suffering from sin, sickness, loneliness, as well as many other ills. We must be attentive to the needs of those close to us. No, we cannot meet all needs, but God will give us a group of family and friends with whom we can connect and for whom we can care.
If you are not part of a caring community of people who care for you; ones for whom you care, pray, hug, and lay hands, please reach out today and get connected. Your life may depend upon it! Seriously, your immunity system, your heart, and your well-being all depend on being in relationship with God and people that you trust.
