Prayer Oil

The Bible shows us several different types of anointing. As a general rule, anointing in the Bible is to set a person apart, to consecrate them to God for a specific reason, ministry or calling. Within this general category, we can see several types of anointing.

Prayer oil is considered one of the four most important elements of Christendom along with water, bread and wine. Some persons may prefer to take their oil to the pastor for them to pray over it and consecrate it while others prefer to do this themselves, by asking God to bless and cleanse the oil so that it can be used for his sake and his glory.

The main purpose of anointing oil in the Old Testament times was to sanctify and set a part the anointed thing or person as “kadosh” or holy. Initially we have Biblical records of cases where anointing oil was only used for priests and tabernacle items, but then it was extended to include kings.

Naturally, we all take measures to protect our homes and our assets. It is for this reason that we have doors and grills, padlocks and even complex security and camera systems. In Psalm 91 we are promised protection from when we dwell in the secret place of the Most High.

In the Bible, someone would be anointed to set them apart, to sanctify that person or group for God and His work. Three classes of people were anointed in ancient Israel, prophets, priests and kings.

While the book of James’ admonition to anoint with oil and pray is well-known, we do not have any direct guidance in Scripture regarding how to go about it. However, we can infer certain things from how anointing was done in the Bible.

A common question for a believer to ask is who can anoint with oil? Is it reserved for a special group, or is anointing open to anyone? In the Hebrew Bible, anointing with oil set apart three groups of people: prophets, priests and kings.

Persons of faith may include Pastors and their wives (Shepherdesses), Bible Teachers, Elders, Deacons, and Deaconesses, persons with specific roles in the church, which normally entails some teaching and ministry. That being said, it means that ideal gifts for a person of faith should have some spiritual significance.

The word “anoint” means to consecrate or make sacred in a ceremony that includes applying oil. It is normally done to dedicate something to the service of God.” The use of anointing oil is definitely Biblical and was used to anoint priests and kings, the sick and afflicted but also utensils and furnishings of the tabernacle.

The truth is that every Christian can use anointing oil for ceremonial, familial, and personal purposes. During Biblical times, anointing oil was predominantly used in ceremonial services, with Israel commonly anointing the heads of their kings with oil.