Imagine a parent cradling a child’s fevered brow—that’s the heart of Tenrikyo’s approach to prayer and healing. Every heartfelt utterance starts with tanno, a spontaneous burst of gratitude for life’s everyday gifts. Only after this “joyous acceptance” does negaigoto, the humble request for help, find its way to God the Parent.

When illness strikes, it isn’t simply a problem for the body. Tenrikyo teaches that disease reflects “dust” on the mind—worries, grudges, unspoken regrets. Clearing that dust begins with sincere repentance during the monthly Service (tsutome) and the daily offering of songs and hand movements. These rituals tune the spirit so that healing can flow unhindered.

The centerpiece of direct healing is the Sazuke, a sacred grant bestowed by the Church’s ministers. Think of it as a lending of divine “hands”: a small pinch of holy powder or a few drops of blessed water becomes a conduit for God’s Parently care. In recent years, churches from Tenri to São Paulo have seen hundreds of seekers receive the Sazuke, often reporting surprising relief and deep peace.

Alongside ritual, Tenrikyo puts a premium on community action—hinokishin, voluntary service. Helping a neighbor in need or cleaning up a local park becomes part of the healing fabric, reminding everyone that joyful living is the best medicine. No crystals or secret mantras—just a simple, living faith that sees every person as a beloved child of the Divine Parent.

That blend of gratitude, ritual repentance, and hands-on service feels especially timely today, as people worldwide search for both spiritual and practical balm in unsettled times. Through Tenrikyo’s lens, prayer and healing are two sides of the same coin: a trusting heart opening to the Parent who knows exactly what’s needed.