Last Sunday, after doing some teaching on prayer and anointing with oil, I invited people to experience this after the service. Of the half dozen people who came forward for prayer, four welcomed me to use oil. So I did, tracing a cross on their foreheads and on the back of each hand before praying with them. It turned out to be a powerful sensual experience for them and for myself as the oil's rich aroma enveloped us while we talked to God. I don't believe that the oil itself has any magic or miraculous properties. But knowing how important olive oil was for the Israelites who used oil to light their homes, prepare their food, salve their wounds and anoint their priests, I can see why James encouraged its use when praying for those who are sick. Psalm 133's lush oil-based metaphor for unity - "it is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard" - only confirms for me that oil is a very meaningful symbol for God's blessing and presence that I will use more in our prayer ministry at Hope Fellowship.