Reiki as prayer

First Presbyterian Church seeks to “create spaces of grace to cultivate hope, healing, and purpose.” Have you found a space for grace filled with God’s love? One such space is to experience Reiki, “hands on” prayer focusing on God’s healing energy. 

You’re invited to pause during your daily life to rest and receive God’s love in a tangible form. Reiki is one among many ways to pray which the congregation practices in worship, small groups, ministry situations, visitation, and individually. Reiki is offered in the professional and hospital communities as a holistic healing approach. In the church, it is also offered in the context of prayer.

Reiki and the Ministry of Jesus

The Bible tells of Jesus who walked this earth as healer, teacher, and prophet, revealing God’s intentions for humanity. Our Protestant tradition has emphasized Jesus’s teachings and his radical message of social change yet has tended to neglect his healing ministry which forms a major part of the gospels. When Jesus healed people, he often touched them with healing love. Even at distance, his loving touch healed wounded people. 

First Presbyterian Church seeks to be a place of healing as God’s love transforms us, in the Spirit of Jesus. Reiki is an experience of receiving and giving healing energy, modeled for us by Jesus. The goal of Reiki is not curing illness or wounds, but to provide a setting for God’s healing to happen.

What happens in a Reiki session?

Two Reiki practitioners, trained and certified, meet with you at the church in the downstairs Wellbeing Center. While fully clothed, you may lie down on a massage table, or you may sit comfortably in a straight chair. The practitioners may ask you if you have areas of concern needing attention. They will then share a brief prayer – followed by placing his/her hands at locations around the head and shoulders, the abdomen and the legs/feet. Tissue is not manipulated. The practitioner’s hands are simply held at each location, lightly touching or slightly away from the body, according to your choice. Reiki is not massage; it is focusing God’s healing energy to benefit your total self. A Reiki session may last up to an hour or can be less.

“The Reiki therapy provided by members of the Reiki team allows me to detach from the physical and emotional stress of my illness.  Through it, I experience spiritual wholeness and peace.”  Dennis Douglass

How can I sign up for a Reiki session?

Reiki is offered at the church by appointment. Please contact the office at 541-382-4401 or email [email protected] to request an appointment.  The team of two practitioners will meet you in the Wellbeing Center at the agreed upon date and time.

Reiki Practitioners

Linda Dowden, Laurie Gordon, Ali Kent, Linda Sorum, Robin Werdal, & Dan Christian.

Robin Fuerst healingjourneyoptions.com is the Mentor for the Reiki prayer ministry.

Giving

There is no cost for a Reiki session. However, if you wish to express gratitude, you may make a cash donation or write a check to First Presbyterian Church (with Reiki in the memo line). These funds are appreciated to help develop Reiki scholarships to expand this ministry within First Presbyterian.

“After breast cancer surgery, shortly before I finished my radiation treatments, I was offered a Reiki session at the hospital.   During the session, I felt a peaceful interior healing that allowed me to release anxiety and fear about my situation.  It also made me realize that such healing support had long lasting effects.”  – Ali Kent

What is Reiki?

“Reiki” means universal energy, the spirit of life that enlivens every living creature. It is the divine energy of love that flows through the healing ministry of Jesus and now through the life of the church, Christ’s body on earth.

Reiki is one way to be available for God’s healing work to happen. When your life energy is low, it is more difficult to deal with stress; you may not sleep well, and you are more susceptible to illness. Reiki is a technique that increases a person’s supply of life energy.

“I first heard about Reiki several years ago from a friend who had found it helpful as he successfully worked toward recovering from a cancer.  When the opportunity came to experience it myself at a recent ‘Spa Day’ for women in our church, I found that it allowed me to relax to such an extent that I went into a light sleep.  The light touch and soft assuring voice of the practitioner encouraged a state of relaxation.”  – Mary Anna Swinnerton