The origin of anointing and prayers for strength to accept sickness dates back to the time of Jesus.  In the Gospels we find many references to Jesus caring for the. sick and disabled.  You will recall the story of the paralytic, where Jesus said : “Your sins are forgiven” “But to prove to you that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”. He said to the paralytic: “Get up and pick up your bed and go off home”.  (Matthew 9:3, 6-8)