We have already learned that Frankincense is the anointing oil used in the Middle East. So it was natural that we would choose to use Frankincense to anoint and pray for our friends who come from there. They are Mandaen, which is a gnostic religion that follows John the Baptist as their messiah. We know very little of their religion, but our friends have shared some information with us. So we were able to add a couple of elements to our prayer service that seemed to mean a lot to them. (They have a lot of health issues within their family.)
First, we went in search of myrtle. Apparently this plant is used during important ceremonies to Mandaens. So we went on an adventure in search of this plant and found it in the Ukranian Village. (Later we realized that most florists seem to have myrtle :) ) After we got the myrtle we made crowns out of the branches and wrapped them in cloth.
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we found it![/caption]Next we prayed over the oil, that God would use it to bless this family and help minister to their needs.
-fyi... we had NO idea what we were doing for a healing prayer service. We prayed that God would help us and that the Spirit would guide us.
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making crowns out of myrtle branches[/caption]So.............. there we were in their clean and cozy apartment, our friends sitting in a semi circle in chairs and my husband leading the service. He presented the crowns, individually, and they unwrapped their own crown and placed it on their head. Some of them seemed excited about the crowns and others.. not so much. Then he read some stories from the Bible, explaining and showing how Jesus is the only one who has the power to heal. So he explained that we would only be praying in the name of Jesus.
They nodded and seemed eager to start the prayer service.
We asked if it was ok to 'lay on hands' while we prayed and they said yes. (This just means touching the person you are praying for, like on the shoulder or arm.)
I gave my husband the bottle of Frankincense and he proceeded to go around to each person. He poured out the precious anointing oil (side note: My (sweet) husband was not versed on how to use the oils yet, so he was turning the bottle upside down and putting his finger directly on the white plastic cap. Don't do this! It could contaminate the oil and is not good if you are sharing the oil with others. So I was squirming in my seat, but biting my tongue, as the prayer service was more important than proper use of the oil bottle. :) ) He anointed each person in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, while making a cross with the oil on their foreheads.
*Frankincense can enhance spiritual experiences according the reference book. It also can help many different ailments, which is why it makes a great anointing oil. *
Then we each prayed for one person at a time. We asked for God to heal them, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. That Jesus would show up and do something miraculous and help them, so they would know His love for them. (Lest you think it all went perfectly... I was in the background trying to keep our little boys happy, but I was able to participate in the praying!) Our hearts cried out to God to heal our friends and I think they felt our genuine love for them. And our friends' hearts cried out to God as they opened their hands in prayer and agreed, with passion, in their heart language for God's healing.
After the prayer service, they hugged us profusely and thanked us many times. This action of love for our neighbors touched their hearts. Then they pulled out some of the items that are important in their religion and taught us about them. So the prayer service and the Spirit moving did seem to open up something spiritual in them.
Can we report that God has healed them? No, not to our knowledge. But more importantly than that, is that God seems to be opening their hearts and their minds to His truths. We have a wonderful friendship with this family and love them dearly. God is always working, even if it's not always according to our plans!
Next time you pray for someone, try anointing them with Frankincense oil....... it's biblical!
Disclaimer- I am not trying to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Just sharing my own experiences using therapeutic grade essential oil with my family and friends.
Also, we are not showing faces in the pictures out of respect/privacy for our friends and fellow workers. Thanks for understanding!
