Healing

[jcunningham352]

I have some other denominational Christian friends who talk about going around and healing people by praying over them. I know one of the sacreents is Anointing of the Sick, but does the Church agree with this? I’ve also heard about the Charismatic Prayer Renewal. Does it fit in with this?

 

[ltwin]

I know you asked about what the Catholic Church believed, but since you posted in the non-Catholic religions forum and your question was brought about by hearing non Catholics talk about healing, I will give you an evangelical Protestant rationale.

In Mark 16, Jesus says before his ascension:

16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.** 17And these signs will accompany those who believe**: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul teaches on the spiritual gifts (or charismata). He says

4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit,** to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit**, 10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

Believers can lay hands on the sick and ask God to heal people. Nothing wrong with that as long as it is remembered that it is God who brings any healing that comes, not the action of any man.

 

[campeador]

Mark 9:38-40:
John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is for us. For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.

 

[Waiting]

All intercessions on my behalf are welcome. I pray for my Protestant friends, and they pray for me.

 

[jcunningham352]

Ok thanks for the answers!

 

[CopticChristian]

I have some other denominational Christian friends who talk about going around and healing people by praying over them. I know one of the sacreents is Anointing of the Sick, but does the Church agree with this? I’ve also heard about the Charismatic Prayer Renewal. Does it fit in with this?

It is my understanding that there is healing and cures. The Catholic Church I believe acknowledges both. I believe that the OHCAC acknolwedges that there is always a healing but not always a cure in instances like these.