A Blessing of Hands for Global Missions

Leader: We come together today to offer prayers for these persons who are traveling to offer a healing ministry in another part of the world. They have been preparing to go on a mission trip to [location] to provide support in the form of [bringing medical supplies/providing medical care/building houses, disaster response, etc]. Let us reflect on a reading from St. Paul to the Ephesians.

Reading: “I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Eph. 3:16-21
Leader: Will you carry out this ministry with humility and grace, to be attentive to the needs of the local community?

Travelers: We will serve this community faithfully and with humility.

Leader: Will you pray for those whom you are serving?

Travelers: We will remember those we serve in prayer before, during and after our travels.

Leader: Will you pray for those who are supporting you from afar?

Travelers: We welcome the prayers and support and we will keep you in our prayers.

Leader: Will you remember those you are serving and continue to address the issues you encounter both here and abroad even when you return home?

Travelers: We commit ourselves to continuing our involvement with the people and issues we encounter.

Anointing of the Hands

Leader: Oil is a sacramental substance in the Judeo-Christian healing tradition. By anointing your hands, we call upon the healing power of the Holy Spirit to bless your hands and the work they will perform in service to those in another part of the world.
Leader anoints or touches the hands of the travelers.

Leader: Good and Gracious God, bless the hands of those who travel to serve others in our world. Make their hands strong but their touch light when they embrace those in need. Make their spirit joyful and gracious when they face hardship. Shine Your face upon them to give them strength. Grant them safe travels and peaceful arrivals and departures. We ask this in Your Name. Amen.

“Go in peace. The mission you are on is under the eye of the Lord.” Jud. 18:6