Blessing of Hands

(An Interfaith Service in Recognition of National Healthcare week and in Honor of the Attentive, Healing, Meticulous, Reliable, Hard-Working Hands of Mercy Hospital)

L: There are many names for God. Regardless of
the tradition, God is God. We come to this
service of blessing and invite God to be with us.
God of Health and God of Healing, be with us
in this time of blessing. Amen.

BLESSING OF THE OIL
L: Holy God, as oil was used as a base for
medicine in ancient times, we ask you to bless
our use of this oil today. May it’s fragrance be a
symbolic offering of what is pleasing to you.
May its texture remind us that the soothing
work of our hands is also pleasing to you.
Amen.

BLESSING OF THE HANDS [SELECT ONE]
May the work of your hands bring healing to all the
people you touch. [or]
May the God who formed these hands guide them to
bring the healing touch of life. [or]
Holy God, bless these hands to be instruments of
healing. [or]
Blessings and appreciation of the many tasks these
hands can do.

SCATTERING
L: God blesses our hands for service.
P: We receive the strength offered by our Creator.
L: Let us also receive the vision to see with the
eyes of our hearts
P: And the courage to persevere in difficult times.
L: May all whose lives we touch come to know
God’s love.
P: May that same love be a consolation to us.
L: Let us return to our duties with blessed hands
that are attentive, healing, meticulous, reliable,
and hard-working.
P: We go, renewed and refreshed, ready to imagine
peace in new ways.