Praying over people

[Pasha]

I was recently with a group of Cathollcs. One of the group was ill. The leader of the group requested that everyone pray over the ill person. Everyone then raised his right hand, extended it towards the person. The leader called upon the Holy Spirit to heal this person. I have always thought that this method of “praying over someone” was Protestant, specifically evangelical. I have heard members of Assemblies of God and non-denominational groups do this but never Catholics. Is this an accepted form of Catholic prayer? My impulse was not to join the group in praying this way as it seemed something from the New Age movement.
I would appreciate your opinion about this method of praying over someone who is injured or ill. Incidentally, a priest was in the group; however, he did not lead the prayer. Instead, a lay person did.
Thank you.
Pasha

 

[Oscarthecat]

I was recently with a group of Cathollcs. One of the group was ill. The leader of the group requested that everyone pray over the ill person. Everyone then raised his right hand, extended it towards the person. The leader called upon the Holy Spirit to heal this person. I have always thought that this method of “praying over someone” was Protestant, specifically evangelical. I have heard members of Assemblies of God and non-denominational groups do this but never Catholics. Is this an accepted form of Catholic prayer? My impulse was not to join the group in praying this way as it seemed something from the New Age movement.
I would appreciate your opinion about this method of praying over someone who is injured or ill. Incidentally, a priest was in the group; however, he did not lead the prayer. Instead, a lay person did.
Thank you.
Pasha

You are not the only one who is bothered by this trend- there have been several discussions about it on this board.

Essentially it is a problem because it obscures the role of the priest by encouraging laity to imitate postures and roles proper to one who has been ordained.

In my understanding, it is completely appropriate for a layperson to pray with or for someone, but not to pray “over” them because laity do not act in persona Christi.

I also find it troubling because I honestly believe that some people attribute a magical quality to the act of raising their hand. I have occasionally seen people at mass who seem to be concerned that the person in front of them is “blocking” their “blessing hand,” as though they believe, that something actually eminates from their hand toward the person they are “praying over,” like some kind of “prayer beam.”**

 

[RosaryFan]

Thanks, Oscarthecat, for explaining that. I, too, have often wondered about it. I was at a gathering once where we “prayed over” someone who was ill, and I felt really silly doing it. I’m glad now I have a legitimate reason for not joining in the next time.

 

[Pasha]

Thank you for your assurance on this issue. It has resolved for me a troublesome practice. When I expressed my dismay
by stating that as laypersons we are not priests, I was admonished by being told that we all partake of the priesthood by virtue of membership in the mystical body of Christ. I refuted this and proceeded to explain the meaning of consecrattion and ordainatiion. However, the group, en masse, disagreed quite vociferously. If this should occur again, I plan not to participate under group peer pressure to do so. Thank you for confirming me in this regard.
Pasha

 

[tobinatorstark]

I was recently with a group of Cathollcs. One of the group was ill. The leader of the group requested that everyone pray over the ill person. Everyone then raised his right hand, extended it towards the person. The leader called upon the Holy Spirit to heal this person. I have always thought that this method of “praying over someone” was Protestant, specifically evangelical. I have heard members of Assemblies of God and non-denominational groups do this but never Catholics. Is this an accepted form of Catholic prayer? My impulse was not to join the group in praying this way as it seemed something from the New Age movement.
I would appreciate your opinion about this method of praying over someone who is injured or ill. Incidentally, a priest was in the group; however, he did not lead the prayer. Instead, a lay person did.
Thank you.
Pasha

Yes and no. It is alright if the person that is praying of the ill is praying for comfort and strength. But on the other hand if it is like a “healing session” praying to over the ill to be healed and telling the ill person that he/she is healed, then no. In extreme cases of last rites, that is reserved to Priest only. James 5:14 Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord

 

[antimon]

And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils. They shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents: and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay their hand upon the sick: and they shall recover. (Mk 16)

So, what is wrong with laying hands on someone and asking God to heal them?

 

[tobinatorstark]

So, what is wrong with laying hands on someone and asking God to heal them?

when praying over someone asking comfort and strength is a spiritual healing not physical healing. Asking for physical healing is like asking someone for a million dollars. God has a plan for each and every one of us, but we aren’t to go against his will. Physical healing might be someone dying and beginning a new life in Christ in heaven for all we know. Always ask for spiritual healing not physical.

 

[antimon]

when praying over someone asking comfort and strength is a spiritual healing not physical healing. Asking for physical healing is like asking someone for a million dollars. God has a plan for each and every one of us, but we aren’t to go against his will. Physical healing might be someone dying and beginning a new life in Christ in heaven for all we know. Always ask for spiritual healing not physical.

1. how do you know that this verse is about spiritual healing and certainly not about physical?
2. how do you know that physical healing is certainly not a part of God’s plan, so that we should not pray for it?
3. why does God heal people when they or someone else prays for them? Isn’t that directly contradicting your position not to ask for physical healing?
4. if it is better for us to go to heaven, why are we still on the earth?

 

[tobinatorstark]

here is a link provided on spiritual healing and what spiritual healing and prayer does. 1stholistic.com/prayer/hol_spiritual_healing.htm

 

[antimon]

I recommend reading Instruction on prayers for healing:
vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20001123_istruzione_en.html

which contains also very good “Doctrinal Aspects” part.

edit: sorry, but the link you provided is certainly not christian, it seems too new age.

 

[tobinatorstark]

I recommend reading Instruction on prayers for healing:
vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20001123_istruzione_en.html

which contains also very good “Doctrinal Aspects” part.

edit: sorry, but the link you provided is certainly not christian, it seems too new age.

The link you provided is very good indeed. All scripture passages that I looked up in the document point to one thing, asking God for strength in a spiritual way.

 

[josethekke]

I was recently with a group of Cathollcs. One of the group was ill. The leader of the group requested that everyone pray over the ill person. Everyone then raised his right hand, extended it towards the person. The leader called upon the Holy Spirit to heal this person. I have always thought that this method of “praying over someone” was Protestant, specifically evangelical. I have heard members of Assemblies of God and non-denominational groups do this but never Catholics. Is this an accepted form of Catholic prayer? My impulse was not to join the group in praying this way as it seemed something from the New Age movement.
I would appreciate your opinion about this method of praying over someone who is injured or ill. Incidentally, a priest was in the group; however, he did not lead the prayer. Instead, a lay person did.
Thank you.
Pasha

I also have the same question I think we should pray for others
but praying over someone is not to be approved

 

[Oscarthecat]

when praying over someone asking comfort and strength is a spiritual healing not physical healing. Asking for physical healing is like asking someone for a million dollars. God has a plan for each and every one of us, but we aren’t to go against his will. Physical healing might be someone dying and beginning a new life in Christ in heaven for all we know. Always ask for spiritual healing not physical.

You’re right that we can’t know what God’s plan for us is, and that sometimes God’s plan doesn’t include physical healing-

but the fact that miraculous healings have occurred indicates that God’s plan for some may include physical healing.

There is nothing wrong with praying for physical healing-

Also, “death” does not qualify as a form of physical healing. That sounds a little like new age doublespeak.

 

[rwoehmke]

You’re right that we can’t know what God’s plan for us is, and that sometimes God’s plan doesn’t include physical healing-

but the fact that miraculous healings have occurred indicates that God’s plan for some may include physical healing.

There is nothing wrong with praying for physical healing-

Many Catholic Charismatic Groups pray in this fashion. The Church has instructed that lay people are not to anoint with oil when praying as it may be mistaken as the Sacrament of Anointing.

Our Baptismal rite indicates that all who are Baptized share in the roles of priest, prophet, and king as befits an adopted child of God and therefore a brother or sister of Jesus Christ. It is obvious that these roles are different from the roles of the ordained priest which is accomplished by a totally different Sacrament.

I have laid hands on and prayed over people for both physical and spiritual healing and can attest that if it be God’s will, healing does take place. Jesus did say where two or more agree in prayer the prayer will be answered. The answer is not always what we want, but what God wants.

 

[Contarini]

I was recently with a group of Cathollcs. One of the group was ill. The leader of the group requested that everyone pray over the ill person. Everyone then raised his right hand, extended it towards the person. The leader called upon the Holy Spirit to heal this person. I have always thought that this method of “praying over someone” was Protestant, specifically evangelical.

The only thing that is arguably “Protestant” about this is having laypeople do it. As an Anglican, I say that if this is Protestant, then I’m going to be Protestant till the day I die. If there is one sense in which the priesthood of all believers is true, it is surely in the sense that we can all pray for and with one another.

That being said, it seems a bit funny that the priest wouldn’t lead it if he were there. The priest is the person chosen by the Church to do such things as a representative of the Church as a whole.

I have heard members of Assemblies of God and non-denominational groups do this but never Catholics. Is this an accepted form of Catholic prayer? My impulse was not to join the group in praying this way as it seemed something from the New Age movement.

I think it’s hilarious that you link AoG and nondenominational churches with the New Age. It seems that “New Age” has become a shortcut term that absolves people from actually thinking about what is good. If something seems strange, people on this forum say it is “New Age” and thus don’t have to make an actual case against it.

Edwin

 

[Pasha]

Baptismal rite quote:1241 The anointing with sacred chrism, perfumed oil consecrated by the bishop, signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptized, who has become a Christian, that is, one “anointed” by the Holy Spirit, incorporated into Christ who is anointed priest, prophet, and king.[41]

The relative pronoun “who” following “Christ” in the context quoted above, does not refer to the newly baptized, as you indicate in your posting, but to Christ, himself. The newly baptized are not “anointed priest, prophet, and king.”

Pasha

 

[guanophore]

You are not the only one who is bothered by this trend- there have been several discussions about it on this board.

Essentially it is a problem because it obscures the role of the priest by encouraging laity to imitate postures and roles proper to one who has been ordained.

In my understanding, it is completely appropriate for a layperson to pray with or for someone, but not to pray “over” them because laity do not act in persona Christi. **

The type of prayer used by laypersons is not the same kind used by the ordained persons, so there is no reason to be concerned. We are all encouraged to pray for one another, that we may be healed.

Gathering around a person who is afflicted or wounded in prayer and support is very Catholic, and has been done since the very beginning of the Church. We see this in the book of Acts.

" But Jews came there from Antioch and Ico’nium; and having persuaded the people, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city; and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe." Acts 14:19-21

Agabus laid hands on Paul, and prayed over him that he might receive his sight.

There is nothing wrong with raising hands in prayer, either. 1 Tim

" I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; "

Although I can see and agree with your point about the magical thinking and the “beam”.

 

[guanophore]

Yes and no. It is alright if the person that is praying of the ill is praying for comfort and strength. But on the other hand if it is like a “healing session” praying to over the ill to be healed and telling the ill person that he/she is healed, then no. In extreme cases of last rites, that is reserved to Priest only. James 5:14 Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord

The sacrament is reserved for the priest, but there is nothing wrong with praying for healing for anyone and everyone. I agree, however, it is not right to be presumtuous to tell the person God’s intention for them. Yes, we can assure them that they are being healed, but it might not be the healing they want. God is always ready to heal us spiritually when we ask, but that may not include physical healing.

Or, one who is suffering may offer that suffering for the healing of the Body.

 

[guanophore]

when praying over someone asking comfort and strength is a spiritual healing not physical healing. Asking for physical healing is like asking someone for a million dollars. God has a plan for each and every one of us, but we aren’t to go against his will. Physical healing might be someone dying and beginning a new life in Christ in heaven for all we know. Always ask for spiritual healing not physical.

If we don’t ask, then we will never know! Why assume He does not? We should always pray for complete healing of body, soul, and spirit. We entrust our prayer to a faithul creator, and He will answer according to His will.

We have not because we ask not.

 

[Oscarthecat]

The type of prayer used by laypersons is not the same kind used by the ordained persons, so there is no reason to be concerned. We are all encouraged to pray for one another, that we may be healed.

Praying “for” is very different than praying “over.”

Gathering around a person who is afflicted or wounded in prayer and support is very Catholic, and has been done since the very beginning of the Church. We see this in the book of Acts.

" But Jews came there from Antioch and Ico’nium; and having persuaded the people, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city; and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe." Acts 14:19-21

Agabus laid hands on Paul, and prayed over him that he might receive his sight.

I’m not concerned about people praying together in the way described in that passage- but that isn’t what the OP described. The passage didn’t say “the disciples laid hands on Paul and prayed over him”- it says that only Agabus did that. According to tradition, Agabus was one of the 70 disciples, and so the community recognized that this was proper to his role in the community.

Today, that role is fulfilled by those who have been ordained.

There is nothing wrong with raising hands in prayer, either. 1 Tim

"I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; "

If you’re referring to when people assume the orans position during the Mass, then there is certainly something wrong with that.
Church teaching on this is very clear- you can read about it in this article from EWTN. It explains why this is inappropriate during the Mass- it goes through each part of the Mass where people seem to want to put their “prayer antennas” (hands) up to mimic the priest.
ewtn.com/expert/expertfaqframe.asp?source=/vexperts/conference.htm

Here is a brief excerpt:

Among the laity this practice began with the charismatic renewal. Used in private prayer it has worked its way into the Liturgy. It is a legitimate gesture to use when praying, as history shows, however, it is a private gesture when used in the Mass and in some cases conflicts with the system of signs which the rubrics are intended to protect. The Mass is not a private or merely human ceremony. The symbology of the actions, including such gestures, is definite and precise, and reflects the sacramental character of the Church’s prayer. As the Holy See has recently pointed out, confusion has entered the Church about the hierarchical nature of her worship, and this gesture certainly contributes to that confusion when it conflicts with the ordered sign language of the Mass.

The orans position makes symbolic sense as an inclusive gesture from the priest toward the congregation - but when the congregation is doing it, all facing the same way, it doesn’t express the same symbolic meaning.

What do you think is the function of the laity imitating the orans gesture in Mass? Are they inviting the priest to pray with them? Maybe they think they’re raising prayer antennas to boost the signal on their prayers? That’s probably not too far of a jump when you already think that prayer beams can shoot out of your hands.