Oils in Scripture
Breathing in the fragrance in prayer
Preparation for facilitator
You will need to buy the oils that are mentioned below, together with cotton buds.
Prepare signs for each of the oils as well as small bowls for the oils.
Avoid having the oils too close to each other.
Allow room for people to share together and pray as time allows.
Prepare handouts or brochures using the information below and have one available for each person in attendance.
Caution: Using pure essential oils can result in skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people, and caution should be exercised particularly with pregnant women or children under 12. Essential oils can be diluted with a carrier oil (such as olive oil, or sunflower oil) for application to the skin. It is important to be aware of the purity or “strength” of the oil and to let participants know what they are using so they can make informed decisions about participation.
Instructions for participants
Read about the six anointing oils.
Select a fragrance that you are drawn towards, or whose qualities you desire for yourself.
Dip a cotton bud into that oil.
As you breathe in its aroma, contemplate its significance in Scripture and how you desire such qualities to apply to your life. Talk it over with God.
Using the cotton bud, anoint the palm of your hand with the sign of the cross, or share with someone about your desires, and invite them to anoint your hand, as well as pray for you.
The fragrance will disappear, but the significance of it will remain.
Handout for participants
myrrh
Esther bathed in the oil.
“The turn came for each girl to go in to King Ahasuerus, after being twelve months under the regulations for the women, since this was the regular period of their cosmetic treatment, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with perfumes and cosmetics for women.” (Esther 2:12 NRSV)
Myrrh was also used to anoint the deceased.
“Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds.” (John 19:39 NRSV)
Myrrh symbolizes purification as well as dying to self. Do you desire to be pure, being dead to self and alive to Christ?
CEDAR OF LEBANON
Cedar was used to construct the Temple and to burn on the altar with sacrificial offerings.
“The righteous flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God.” (Psalm 92:12, 13 NRSV)
Cedar symbolizes strength, uprightness and sacrifice. Do you desire such qualities in your life?
FRANKINCENSE
Frankincense was burned on the altar of incense.
“The LORD said to Moses: Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense (an equal part of each), and make an incense blended as by the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy; and you shall beat some of it into powder, and put part of it before the covenant in the tent of meeting where I shall meet with you; it shall be for you most holy.” (Exodus 30:34-36 NRSV)
“He put the golden altar in the tent of meeting before the curtain, and offered fragrant incense on it; as the Lord had commanded Moses” (Exodus 40:26, 27 NRSV)
Frankincense symbolizes intercession in prayer. Do you desire to be more prayerful for others?
LILY OF THE VALLEY
Lily of the valley is used as a reference for beauty and as a sweet perfume.
“I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.” (Song of Solomon 2:1 NRSV)
Lily of the valley symbolizes purity.
Do you desire to have a pure life that brings honour to God?
CINNAMON
Cinnamon was used in the making of holy anointing oil for dedication of Temple artefacts.
“The LORD spoke to Moses: Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet-smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, two hundred fifty, and two hundred fifty of aromatic cane, and five hundred of cassia – measured by the sanctuary shekel – and a hin of olive oil; and you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended as by the perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil.” (Exodus 30:22-25 NRSV)
Cinnamon symbolizes consecration. Do you desire to consecrate your life totally to Jesus and His ministry?
SANDALWOOD
Sandalwood is used in making instruments for worship.
“Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:18-20 NRSV)
Sandalwood symbolizes being an instrument of worship. Do you desire to be used by God in such a manner that others are blessed by your life and ministry?