How to Use Anointing Oil

 

Anointing oil, also referred to as blessing or consecrating oil, is an act that turns standard oil into a great spiritual symbol and tool. The process is fairly straightforward. The oil is put in a special, small container and then a blessing is said over it. Once the oil is ready, you can use it in a variety of different ways.

Blessing the Anointing Oil

1. Check with your judicatory or a religious authority for specifics. Each denomination has its own guidelines governing the way that oil is blessed for anointing purposes, as well as the way that anointing oil is used.

The most common restriction regards who may bless or anoint the oil. In some denominations, such as in Catholicism, only a priest or similar clergyman can bless the oil. Some denominations even limit which clergymen are authorized to consecrate oil.

It is also important to note that some denominations, such as the Latter Day Saints, also have guidelines and laws concerning what oil should be consecrated and how it can be used afterward.

2. Purchase olive oil at your local grocery store or online retailer. You can use any type of olive oil that is available. However, it should be olive oil instead of another type of oil since it has greater traditional and biblical significance because it is mentioned in religious texts.

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 an anointing oil. You can find this oil in the vast majority of grocery stores.

If desired, you can buy scented olive oil from a religious or secular store. Oil that has been perfumed with frankincense and myrrh is both popular and spiritually significant because they are referenced in the bible.

3. Fill up a small, special container with oil. Find a small vial, bottle, or other container that you like the look of or that has special meaning for you. It needs to have a lid that closes tightly and does not leak. Make sure it is clean and the pour the olive oil straight into this container. This oil will become the anointing oil.

You can buy a special oil stock at a religious bookstore or online, or you could use any small bottle.

The most common vial is a short metal container with a screw-on lid, with a sponge placed inside to help hold the oil in. However, less expensive plastic oil stocks are also available.

Even a brown glass bottle with a dropper or a roller cap could be used.

4. Add essential oils to the olive oil, if you like. While you can anoint plain olive oil, some people add essential oils that have religious significance. Anointing the body with perfumed oil was once used to refresh the body. If done to someone else, the act was considered one of hospitality. The oils used can vary but consider adding one drop of each of these, as they are mentioned in religious texts, such as the bible:

• Myrrh
• Cinnamon
• Cassia
• Calamus

5. Ask God to bless the oil. You can bless the oil without the supervision of a religious authority figure unless your denomination requires otherwise.Your prayer should be firm and one made in good faith.

Your prayer may ask God for spiritual blessing and cleansing of the oil, so that it may bring glory to God. It is a prayer of dedication. This oil will not be used for any common household purpose.

For instance, the prayer might be something like, "Heavenly Father, I ask for Your blessing upon this oil in Jesus name. Consecrate it for Your holy purpose and for Your glory. May this be done in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen."

If your denomination prohibits you from anointing oil, ask your religious leader if they will provide you with anointed oil or if they will bless oil that you have procured.

6. Store the oil at room temperature. The best way to keep the oil fresh is to store it at room temperature. Put the container in a dark area when you are not using it, such as a cupboard. 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.

Using Anointing Oil

1.Understand the power behind anointing oil. Anointing oil is a symbol of your faith in God and of God's ability to cleanse and make things holy. There is nothing mystical or magical about the 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.

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.

Anointed oil has been used for a wide variety of things historically. Ancient Israelites once rubbed consecrated oil on the leather of their shields to prepare for war. Some anointing oils were used for medicinal purposes, while others were used to prepare bodies for funerals and burials. These oils were also used to purify the body or consecrate an individual for a specific purpose or calling within God's plan.

2. Anoint yourself by applying the oil to your skin. 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. Among other things, you can do this when you pray, when you are troubled, or when you are sick.

You can also anoint yourself by drawing a cross on your forehead while saying, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

After anointing yourself, you can continue with your prayers as you usually would, regardless of whether it is a prayer for healing, repentance, thanksgiving, or anything else.

Alternatively, if you are injured or ill, you could cross yourself with the anointing oil over the damaged area of your body while praying for healing.

3. Anoint others if they ask you to do it. Just as you can use the anointing oil on yourself, you can also use it to aid others who are troubled or ill. Pray over the other person as you anoint them with the oil.

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 say, "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.

4. Use anointing oil in your home. Anointing oil is commonly used when blessing a new home or a home that has faced some form of spiritual problem. Anoint your home by putting a small dab of oil on your finger and then touching the frame of every door in every room with it.

You do not need to get a lot of oil on your door frames and you can touch them anywhere you like. Just a tiny bit from your finger will do.

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 accordance with God's will.

The idea behind anointing your home is that you are turning it into holy ground for God.