VISITING THE SICK
**Visiting the sick is one of the most important branches of any spiritual work. In addition to consciousness of pain, very often there is a sense of loneliness because the individual is going through an individual experience. An attitude of over-cheerfulness on the part of the healer does not raise the spirits of the one who is suffering. Therefore sympathy, linked with reassurance, will be found far more helpful. It is never wise to be over-optimistic over what can be done by one or two visits. Far better first to build up a sense of friendship, and when confidence is won, there is a looking forward to other visits, and through this fact the mind is cheered, and good results are shown on the physical side.
**It is suggested that the healer's first words shall be of a comforting character, showing understanding of what the patient is going through. Then, not dwelling too long on that side, he should remind the sufferer of the Healing Power of Christ (perhaps saying in the form of a prayer a verse or two of that beautiful hymn - "At even, ere the sun was set".)
**The healer should remember that anyone weak or in pain may find it difficult to concentrate and, therefore, he should assure the patient that God understands, and that their prayers, although of the briefest character, do make contact with God. If they felt stronger, their prayers could, perhaps, be better phrased, but then they might not be so sincere.
**The healer should never promise even in the name of his guides a cure of illness. Rather should he always emphasise that these things are in God's Hands. Yet, that every effort will be made by himself and those in the Spirit World to bring the hoped-for relief. He should underline that prayers are always answered by God, but sometimes not in the way that we with our earthly limitations have desired. Let him remind the patient that all suffering has a beneficial effect upon the character and, consequently, upon the aura, and in those places where a cure may not be possible, the power is passed on to the body to be worn in the next stage, which will be charged with beauty and with strength.
**It is taken for granted that before a healer enters the house where a patient is, he should commend himself to God and ask for guidance and Spirit Power.
**The Healer will begin with prayer, saying…
OUR FATHER, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. When in temptation, Thy Love sustains us, and deliver us from evil; for Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
O LOVING Father, we know that Thou art always ready to give, so that Thy children may be helped and strengthened as they take their way through the earth-life. We realise that pain and suffering come not from Thee, but through the conditions of physical life, and we know that it is Thy Will that happiness and health shall be the portion of these Thy children. Therefore we ask that the Christ-Presence may be granted unto us, and that this suffering child of Thine may feel something of the Divine Power which can soothe the heart and mind, and bring greater strength to the body. Grant that it may be possible that the healers become pure channels through which the healing power can flow and, above all, that the sufferers may be able to see beyond the clouds of pain the golden glory built up by patience and endurance. Amen.
FATHER, in the silence we await Thy blessing. We know that Thy love ever surrounds us, and that by our thoughts and prayers we can draw even closer the Angelic Ministry and that healing power which they bring to us.
