Cristiana Crestani

Body and Spirit
Jewish tradition has long recognized that there are two components of health: the body and the spirit. The Mi Sheberach prayer, traditionally recited for someone who is ill, asks God for refuah shleima, a complete healing, and then specifies two aspects: refuat hanefesh, healing of the soul/spirit/whole person, and refuat haguf, cure of the body. To cure the body means to wipe out the tumor, clear up the infection, or regain mobility. To heal the spirit involves creating a pathway to sensing wholeness, depth, mystery, purpose, and peace. Cure may occur without healing, and healing without cure.
Mi Sheberach prayer:
May the one who blessed our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, bless and heal those who are ill [names]. May the Blessed Holy One be filled with compassion for their health to be restored and their strength to be revived. May God swiftly send them a complete renewal of body and spirit, and let us say, Amen.
We, as Christians, dare to pray:
May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, bless and heal those who are ill [names]. May Jesus, who shared our humanity and sufferings, be filled with compassion for their health to be restored and their strength to be revived. May the Holy Spirit swiftly send them a complete renewal of body and spirit, and let us say, Amen.