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Focus on Anointing and healing |
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God has blessed the Church with gifts of grace for the sake of carrying out the mission responsibilities in the world. One such gift of grace is anointing and healing. It is a gift that has been utilized only to a very limited extent. Many blessings as such "just go-by unclaimed and leaving us much poorer. |
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As a Church we seem so content and happy with what we have. UCCSA have also been very lax and distanced herself from issues that we term "spiritual" and we have relegated the so called "spiritual things" to the Pentecostal Churches.
We tend to leave the aspect of anointing and healing to the new movements, and generally there is less emphasis on the spiritual disciplines of prayer, anointing and healing. I am sure that if the church is to be relevant to the needs of all people today, she will have to re-examine her stand on issues like anointing. |
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Anointing |
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It is worth noting that the UCCSA recognizes and in fact anoints its ministers and delegates during its Assembly gatherings to "go and face the challenges of the world that we live in, as a new and rejuvenated people." In this regard, the UCCSA at a denominational level has no qualms with the concept of anointing. Perhaps, the synods and regions should take the practice further until the blessings of this practice are made accessible to all the worshippers. |
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Why anoint? |
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Learning from 1Samuel 10: 1-26, we realize that prophets anointed leaders to takeover leadership responsibilities in their communities. It follows therefore that anointing was meant to revitalize and rejuvenate someone into a position of responsibility. It was an act of setting someone apart for leadership responsibility. Another classic example of anointing in the Old (2 Kings 9:1-10: 1-36) Of course it did not always follow that human beings so-anointed would always act justly. They still remained sinful men and women.
The point of anointing is the realization that life is a matter of service to the people of God. It is in serving others as servant-leaders that the world can become a better place. It is therefore my conviction that through anointing the Lord strengthens what is just, what is godly over what is unjust, ungodly and evil. Anointing can help us remember that we have a responsibility to God and to the people that we are called serve. |
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Lessons to be learnt: |
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In the Old Testament times the Lord used his prophets to anoint political, religious and community leaders who were inclined to obey and worship Yahweh. Also of paramount importance is that the priests played a significant role in appointing leadership. We also note that through anointing Yahweh set apart men and women who were ardent for the worship of Yahweh.
During anointing services; we are therefore constrained as Christians to seek God more and to be passionate and hungry for service to the Lord. It is through anointing and prayer that we can be re-aligned to the will and the dictates of the Lord, especially as each generation has to discern what the will of God is for their situations. The unique nature of each context needs to be taken into account and the response measured accordingly. |
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Healing |
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"Is there anyone amongst you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and prayers of faith will save a man…" We are therefore to anoint our sick brothers and sisters because we are given authority to do so as Church elders and leaders. In the act of anointing one who is sick, we are actually giving them the assurance that the church is journeying with them even in such times of hardship.
As the 23rd Psalm says, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff- they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." Psalm 23: 3-4) Leadership appointments come with responsibility "for the sake of building up (edification) of the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:12) Ministerial responsibility, for instance, entails that the minister must "tend" the Lord's church. This "tending" refers to being consistent in prayer for all, especially for those who are ill mentally, physically or whatever sickness. The driving force is the knowledge that the prayers of faithful in the household of God shall bring about healing in its rich varieties. |
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Conclusion |
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Anointing is an integral part of worship and expression of faith. Anointing affirms us as children and servants of the Lord. Each time we go out into the world, we do so in the knowledge and assurance that the grace of the Lord will go before us, surround us and uplift us for every good work in the Mission of God. We must pray for and anoint one another as regularly as possible, so that we are forever rejuvenated and brought closer to one another and to the Lord. Anointing affirms this scripture: "for I know the plans that I have for you; and these are plans of peace, prosperity and good health." Jeremiah 33: 6. |
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Prayer-Thought: |
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"Dear Lord, we pray for the healing of our people everywhere, heal our land, let it bring forth food for all to share in fairness, anoint your servants with love that they may go about their calling as instruments of your grace, for this we pray in the name of Jesus, the Anointed One, whom you sent to set us free, Amen." |
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