It is often hard for us to know what or how to pray for those we know who are physically, emotionally or spiritually ill. It is also difficult to pray for ourselves when ill or to know how to ask other people to pray for us.

Here are some suggestions, in additon what you are already using:

1. There is a great comfort in knowing someone else is praying for you. People often find it helpful to know the time of day prayer is being made for them. Then it is as if you are tuning in with each other and God at the same time. It can be very supportive to make a special committment to pray for someone daily for a while, for example a week. The prayer may be a simple naming or a “holding” of someone else in God’s love.

2. Imagine God’s healing light in whatever part of the body is injured, and picture the body well and full of life. You might find it useful to light a candle and concentrate on the flame. Let its light speak to you of the healing light of God which surrounds and is within us all. You can pray in these ways for yourself as well as for others.

3. Sometimes when we pray all the possible negative outcomes of the situation come tumbling through our minds. In order to keep our minds focussed on the beauty and wonder of God try remembering a moment when you experienced God close to you. You might choose to reconnect with a particular moment or a setting which speaks to you of God - a church, a favourite place, a sunrise or sunset. Bring the picture of the person you are praying for into this remembrance of the wonder of God’s love.

4. We all know that a gentle touch of a hand at the right moment can bring the reality of love and care to us. You can do this for yourself. Place your hands over the parts of your body which are suffering and concentrate on God’s love, or repeat a Bible verse to yourself. If it seems appropriate to do this for another person, check with them that they are happy for you to put a hand on them and make sure by keeping your eyes open intitially to see if they are truly relaxed with your hands on them.

5. Music can bring healing. Prayer can be singing. Sing a song for the person for whom you pray, either with them or as you remember them. For yourself, work out what music you experience as prayerful and set aside time to let the music speak to you of the ever present reality of God’s healing love.

6. There may be occasions when one or two of you from your church are invited to support someone who is ill by visiting and praying with them.

You can use any of the above suggestions. There do not have to be words. What is important is to use whatever is helpful for you all to keep your minds fixed on God. A vital ingredient in most healing is relaxation and calm for all involved. You can use any combination of the above suggestions with other material that is familiar to you. Ask yourselves what will help you to create a “healing space”; a time when you can feel the love of God bathing and surrounding you with peace.

Another way of praying in twos or threes is for two of you to pray silently for the third person - listening, waiting upon God.

Then any of you may find coming into your mind a text, a word, a picture, like a message from God. Offer the “message” without any interpretation as to what it means. Through this God can open doors to old hurts and painful memories. As you speak and pray about them, commit the situation into God’s hands. There can be much release, forgiveness and healing.

If you are doing this take turns to pray for one another and be prepared to be surprised by God.