THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SERVICE OF ANOINTING WITH OIL

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SERVICE OF ANOINTING WITH OIL

lc. Upon arriving in the sick room, the elder in charge and assistants should cordially greet the sick one, and then when seated, if that is possible, as quickly as possible state the purpose of the gathering.

2c. It will then be in order to have prayer for the entire service. This will cast the proper atmosphere upon all that follows.

3c. Then one of the elders, perhaps the one presiding, should read the scrip­ture, and make some very pertinent comments upon the meaning of the entire passage.

4c. Then the one presiding should ask the patient whether he knows of anything in his life that he ought to confess before anointing and prayer. If he does, it should be confessed, and should be heard sympathetically.

5c. The one in charge should explain about the will of the Lord and make sure that the patient desires the will of the Lord and will be satisfied with any answer the Lord sends; whether it be to heal soon or later or not at all.

6c. Then the one presiding should anoint the sick one three times with just the fingers moistened with oil, once in the name of the Father, again in the name of the Son, and a third time in the name of the Holy Spirit.

7c. All those participating should then lay hands upon the sick one, usually the head. In turn each should lay a hand on the sick one, and if possible until both hands of each person is upon the patient. The position of the sick one may make it impossible to lay more than one hand of each person participating upon the patient, or to lay the hands upon the head.

8c. Then one or all participating should pray for the blessing of the Lord upon the sick in the way the Lord directs, always giving deference to the will of the Lord.

9c. The service is then over, and in the case of very severe illness, it may be appropriate for pastor and assistants to leave the sick room immediately.