Bedside Communion, Bible Reading and Prayer
If a patient is not well enough to attend chapel on a Sunday, or would value an opportunity to meet with a member of the Chaplaincy team during the week, we can visit them on the ward to lead a short service at their bedside. The curtains can be drawn around the bed space to give some privacy for a service of Holy Communion, or an informal time of bible reading and prayer. Sometimes patient’s visitors like to join them for this, but usually it is a quiet, relaxed and very personal expression of faith and trust in God, as we offer each individual’s concerns for themselves and their families in prayer.
Laying on of hands and anointing.
This is a way of praying which has its roots in the New Testament. We lay a hand on someone when we pray in the 'laying-on-of hands', and in 'anointing' we sign the cross on a person’s head, and sometimes their hands, using a little oil. Either of these can be used for a patient - or both together. The service is a way of reinforcing the assurance that God’s promises are for this particular person. It is a service that can be very helpful for those unable to receive Communion or who want to have a tangible sense of Christ’s touch on their life. This is NOT what is commonly known as ‘The last rights’. Although the actions have similarities the prayers and intentions are for healing and can be given more than once, at any point in a person’s life.
Prayers of Commendation.
This is a short and simple service which can be used just before or just after someone has died. For relatives and friends gathered at the bedside it is a way of marking the passing of someone they love. They can give thanks for the life of their loved one, pray for them and commend them to God’s mercy and care. They can also offer their own grief and pain to God, and ask for his help and courage to face the future with hope and renewed strength.