The Divine Scripture has much to say about the necessity and significance of hope. First, they tell us why we should always hope in our Loving and Merciful God:

Priest: Let us pray to the Lord

People: Lord have mercy.

O Lord Almighty, the Healer of our souls and bodies, You Who put down and raise up, Who chastise and heal also; do You now, in Your great mercy, visit our brother (sister) (Name), who is sick. Stretch forth Your hand that is full of healing and health, and get him (her) up from his (her) bed, and cure him (her) of his (her) illness. Put away from him (her) the spirit of disease and of every malady, pain, and fever to which he (she) is bound; and if he (she) has sins and transgressions, grant to him (her) remission and forgiveness, in that You love mankind; yes, Lord my God, pity Your creation, through the compassions of Your Only-Begotten Son, together with Your All-Holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit, with Whom You are blessed, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Deacon: Master, give the blessing.

Priest: Blessed is our God always, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People: Amen.

The Head of the Church is Christ and us humans, we Christians, are the body. The Holy Apostle Paul says: He is the head of the body, of the Church (Colossians 1:18). The Church and Christ are one. The body of the Church cannot exist without its Head. The body of the Church is nourished, sanctified, and lives with Christ. He is the Lord, Omnipotent, Omniscient, everywhere present and filling all things, our staff, our friend, our brother: the pillar and sure foundation of the Church.