The holy anointing oil (also referred to as blessing or consecrating oil) is an act that turns standard olive oil into a great spiritual symbol and tool. The process is fairly straightforward, and once the oil is ready. You can use it in a variety of different ways. To the ancient Israelite there was no oil or fat with more symbolic meaning than olive oil. It was used as an emollient, a fuel for lighting lamps, for nutrition, and for many other purposes. It was scented olive oil that was chosen to be holy anointing oil for the Israelites. The Hebrew term "Messiah" (in Greek Christos) means "the anointed one", and relates to anyone anointed (dedicated to God).
The person thus anointed might have been a king, a priest, or a prophet. The primary purpose of anointing with the holy anointing oil was to sanctify, to set the anointed person or object apart as sanctified (Exodus 30:29). Anointing oil is a symbol of your faith in God and of God's ability to cleanse and make things holy. Without faith, anointing oil will not have any positive effect. You can use oil to help strengthen and demonstrate your faith, but you cannot use it to replace faith. Below are the vital statistics for holy anointing oil that you need to know:
·
The
most common restriction regards who may bless or anoint the oil. In some
denominations, only a priest or similar clergyman can bless the oil. Some denominations
even limit which clergymen are authorized to consecrate oil.
·
As
long as your denomination does not prohibit it, you can usually pray a blessing
over the oil on your own and without the help of a religious authority figure.
The prayer should be firm and one made in full faith. The prayer you use must
ask God to bless and cleanse the oil, so that it can be used for the sake of
God's glory. Unless you are told otherwise by a
religious authority, it is not necessary to buy special oil for anointing.
·
Extra-virgin
cold-pressed olive oil is the purest variety available; so many people prefer
to use that when shopping for holy anointing oil. You can find this oil in the
vast majority of grocery stores. Oil that has been perfumed with frankincense
and myrrh is both popular and spiritually significant.
·
The
most common vial to put the holy anointing oil in is a short metal container
with a screw-on lid, with a sponge placed inside to help hold the oil in. Even
a "travel size" plastic shampoo bottle could be used.
·
The
best way to keep the oil fresh is to store it sealed and at room temperature.
Refrigeration is not recommended. If you refrigerate the oil, it will start to
look cloudy. This is not harmful, though, and the oil can still be used even if
it has gotten cloudy.
·
There
is nothing mystical or magical about holy anointing oil itself, even though
anointing oil can be a powerful tool of the faith. As with all other spiritual
tools, the real power comes from God.
·
You
can use the oil to anoint yourself when you pray, when you are troubled, or
when you are sick. While there are different ways to anoint yourself, the most
common is to wet your right thumb with a little of the oil and make a Sign of
the Cross on your forehead while saying, “In the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
·
When
anointing someone else, wet your right thumb with a little of the anointing oil
and use it to draw a cross in the middle of the other person's forehead. As you
draw the cross, state the person's name and state, "I anoint you with oil
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Follow
this with any prayers that are appropriate to the specific circumstances. This
includes prayers for physical healing, spiritual healing, consecration, and
general blessing.
·
Holy
anointing oil is commonly used when blessing a new home or a home that has
faced some form of spiritual threat. Remove anything from the home that may
have any evil roots. Walk around your home anointing the frame of every door in
every room. As you anoint each frame, pray that God fills your house with the
Holy Spirit, and that everything that happens in the house will be done in
according to God's will. The idea behind anointing your home is that you are
turning it into "holy ground" for God.
“You have loved what is right and hated
what is evil. That is why God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of
gladness and lifted You above Your companions.” (Hebrews 1:9,
VOICE)[i]
[i] Sources used:
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