The Biblical basis for the prayer cloth actually began in the book of Matthew, we observe (Matthew 9:20–22) the story of a woman who had suffered severe bleeding for twelve years. She had spent all she had on prescriptions and physicians, but still was not healed. She undoubtedly heard about Jesus. She managed to touch the hem of Jesus’ cloak, believing this simple contact would heal her. Jesus answered in verse 22, telling her, “Your faith has made you well.” Also, in Matthew 14:34–36, the people of Gennesaret had a similar thought. Absolutely all the sick heard the fame of Jesus and desired to touch only the hem of Jesus’ garment.
I would like for us to begin way back in the new testament in Isaiah. According to Isaiah 10:27 (JUB) 27 And it shall come to pass in that day that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be consumed in the presence of the anointing. Our problems and illnesses will be taken away by the anointing of God. The entire practice of the anointing cloth and creating a prayer cloth comes from Acts 19:11–12. 11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. This conveys how handkerchiefs that Paul had merely touched were carried to the sick, in hopes that people would be healed of diseases and evil spirits. The word handkerchiefs according to the dictionary means: a square of cotton or other finely woven material, typically carried in one’s pocket and intended for blowing or wiping one’s nose. The Bible Dictionary States the following: “Only once in Authorized Version ( Acts 19:12 ). The Greek word (sudarion) so rendered means properly “a sweat-cloth.” It is rendered “napkin” in John 11:44 ; John 20:7 ; Luke 19:20.” Below, I have left you some space to investage the scriptures more thoroughly!
John 11:44
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Teacher’s Note:
John 11:44 is a very familiar scripture. There have been many lessons taught, sermons preached, and songs sang about the resurrection of Lazarus. In this study, I want to give you a little more depth in the account of Lazarus. In John, the grave mummification was the custom of Eastern countries including the Egyptians and Jews. Jesus’s powerful words echo throughout the pages of scripture. In today’s language, these words would sound something like this, “Untie his hands and feet. Let him plant his feet firmly on the ground. Then, let him go freely!” This is the true definition of anointing! The prayer cloth is one way to say, cast out the evilness with this woman, cast her sins as far as the east as to the west, and drive out the sickness from her body. Then, let her plant her feet firmly on the ground and go in freedom.
John 20:7
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Teacher’s Note:
In this scripture, we find Peter and Mary outside the tomb of Jesus. We understand their account of Jesus’s grave clothes! His wrappings were neatly stacked and stringently placed! Jesus was anointed before He ever became man, but here we notice that Jesus simply replaced his grave clothes with one that is enterally significant. Furthermore, Jesus’s Earthly clothes were even anointed. On several accounts, many people believed that “only one touch” of his garment would heal them completely.
Luke 19:20
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Teacher’s Note:
Luke is still describing clothing in this passage, but it has a more spiritual meaning. The rich man is unsaved and the poor man is saved. The angles both have the same task. One is to render the saved to paradise and one is to render the soul in Hades. The clothed is the saved person and we simply lay down our clothing and positions on Earth and gain heaven. However, the unsaved must be snatched from their clothing, positions, and family. The saved are truly anointed and set free in Heaven, but the unsaved are naked in a spiritual sense and sent into uttermost destruction.
Was the clothing of Jesus ever ripped?
I have only seen one source that has informed me of the tearing of Jesus’s garment, but most preachers will tell you that Jesus’s clothes were never torn. I can find no evidence, in the Bible, that concluded Jesus’ “(sudarion)” had ever been torn and people were healed. However, Jesus’s clothes were torn during is inexcusable torture before his death. For example, 24. And they prayed, saying, “You, Lord, the Knower of the hearts of all, show which one of these two You have personally chosen . . .” 26. Then they cast their lots; and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles (Acts 1:24, 26, HBFV throughout). Here are some citational passages for you to investigate: Leviticus 16:8, Proverbs 16:33, 18:18, Acts 1:24 – 26 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What part of Paul’s attire was used as the healing cloth?
Paul or God’s people in scripture never called the handkerchief a “prayer cloth.” The churches Paul wrote to had a custom that the men would wear a wrapped piece of cloth found on their heads. Theses skull caps serve a simple task. The sweat band simply caught their sweat. The New Testament Biblical leaders tore these long pieces of cloth to create handkerchiefs. The sweatband then was known as a handkerchief. Paul in Acts did in fact anoint this cloth and pray over it. When the sick received the cloth, the person was healed according to their faith.
Let’s take a moment and examine the clothing Paul would have worn. (I usually use two teens for this section) The main pieces were a tunic, a loincloth, a waist belt, a money pouch, a cloak of robe, a ring, and the skull cap. In the chart, I have provided scriptures and important information. Please locate and read each scripture. (I would have assigned these scriptures before the lesson began).
Exodus 28:7 7It is to have two shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners, so it can be fastened.
Exodus 28:9-14 9″Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel 10in the order of their birth-six names on one stone and the remaining six on the other. 11Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings 12and fasten them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders as a memorial before the LORD. 13Make gold filigree settings 14and two braided chains of pure gold, like a rope, and attach the chains to the settings.
John 19:38 ________________________________
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Numbers 15:37-38
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Tassels on the corners
Matthew 23:5 – Expensive silk wide sleeve and Blue Fringes
Tunic – An inner garment made from wool or cotton
Usually tucked under the belt. Exodus 28:40
Loin cloth undergarment
Exodus 28:42
Waist Belt
Money Pouch
Mark 6:8
Cloak or Robe
Exodus 28:4 Royalty or Commoner
A ring
Often pushed in mug or wax for their signatures
Skull Caps/Turban
Job 29:13-15 With bands of cloths around the edges
Exodus 39:29 Linen Girdle
Exodus 28:3-5 3Tell all the skilled workers to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest. 4These are the garments they are to make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so they may serve me as priests. 5Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.
Headwear (This is the section to have your teens model)
Depictions show some Hebrews and Syrians bareheaded or wearing merely a band to hold the hair together. Hebrew laborers certainly also dressed in head coverings. Their coverings were comparable to the modern keffiyeh. They made their keffiyeh from a generous square piece of knitted cloth. They would fold the fabric diagonally in half to create a fairly large triangle. The fold was worn across the forehead. The keffiyeh insecurely covered their back and shoulders. This was held tight with a long piece of fabric known as the sweatband. Wealthy men and women wore a something that resembled a turban. This was usually woven into a hat and it was shaped varied greatly.
The first modern use of a prayer cloth may have been by the Mormons. Then, as the practice faded in Mormonism, it grew in the Pentecostal church. Today, the tradition may be found in the Roman Catholic Church and throughout Christian Churches across the United States. Currently, the prayer cloth is not anointed with sweat from those who pray over it, but rather it’s anointed with a fatty oil like vegetable. As more Christians learn how to use essential oils for healing we will see more churches using oils with a mood stabilizer. Churches could use vegetable oil, but also include citrus or peppermint to boost happy feelings.
Most Christians that believe in the prayer cloth have an idea on its meaning. What’s yours?
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Most Christians believe the prayer cloth is merely a reminder that a group of people are praying for a friend or family member in need. A church usually adheres to the following scriptures in James. James 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the LORD. The elders of the church then anoint the cloth with oil and pray for whatever need pertains. Some only believe it should be men and have actually kicked out the women! But, I believe a young man or woman could be an elder. An elder means who have grown up spiritually. For this reason, I believe the square should be larger than a one by one square of fabric. This anointed cloth should also serve as a reminder to pray.
More disconcerting, is the belief that the oil or sweat the prayer cloth is anointed with acts as a point of transfer. People believe the blessings of God are given to the recipients. This idea surly comes from the Holy Anointing Oil of Moses, because God told him to anoint certain things in the temple. This anointing was for meaning reasons. However, if you anoint a piece of cloth say with clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary, you’ll have an excellent cleaning rag. The chemical properties in clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary are all antibacterial; therefore, you have an all-natural and non-toxic cleaner. When the oils are placed in a soy wax candle or diffuser in the air it can be very stimulating and heartening. On the other hand, some people believe that the power of God is on the cloth and that power casts out demons. I agree, because my prayers are heard and answered always by God? Aren’t yours? Scripture tells us that one job of Jesus is to set at the right hand of Father to hear our prayers. Finally, just the mention of the name of Jesus all evil disperses. Therefore, people in the hospitals often put the cloth on the area that needs a touch from God and are healed.
Perhaps, the most disturbing craze, especially on the web, is the use of prayer cloths as a fund-raising device. Prosperity gospel televangelists will pray over it for a fee. Then, the bigger the donation, the better the chance of healing you receive. So, are the televangelists on the same level as Apostle Paul? Brothers and sisters, I think you should be in a church, because God ordained this not for Him, but for us. It’s in church these things are discussed and this could help you from being deceived. 2 Peter 2:2-3 warns believers that others will take advantage of their faith. Then, 1 Corinthians 9:14 Paul tells us that gifts from God cannot be bought or sold. I think you should follow the scripture of James and Paul and stay with the word. Do not deceive and may you not be deceived!
