Frequently Asked Questions
About Personal Prayer Ministry
What
are some of the typical issues you deal with?
•
individuals bring a wide spectrum of issues including
things such as a lack of inner peace, fear, guilt, shame,
grief, anger, trauma, marital problems, sexual problems,
bondages, addictions, strongholds, masonic/occult issues,
troubling dreams
• we focus on the spiritual issues of life and how
they affect indidividuals
• some issues may need referral to a qualified health
professional
Do
you see both men and women?
•
yes, Sheila and Roger work as a team, which for many people
gives a greater sense of safety
• we do see minors occasionally, although only if a
parent is present
What
happens in a typical Personal Prayer Ministry
session?
• the
presenting issues and feelings are clarified and
discussed
• the
prayer facilitator explains how things generally
proceed
• any
client questions are discussed
• the prayer facilitator leads in an opening prayer to
set the "spiritual parameters" so the ministry recipient
can hear God clearly
• the prayer facilitator leads the client in prayer,
asking Jesus to take them to the origin of the presenting
issue
• Jesus is asked to identify what "negative
conclusions" have been believed and how these conclusions
have affected the individual's life
• these are confessed and repented of
• any oppression from the enemy is dealt with in a
calm, authoritative manner
• Jesus is asked to reveal His truth to set the person
free
• the preceding is repeated for all presenting issues
• the session is closed in prayer and some additional
take home work may be given, such as "journaling" the
truths, or additional resources to look at
How
long is a ministry session?
•
a standard session is two hours long (optionally up to
three hours)
• sometimes one session is sufficient to deal with an
issue; most individuals have several issues to work
through, so a series of sessions is recommended
• contact us regarding setting up an
appointment
Can
everyone hear from God?
•
yes, it is not just for the "spiritually gifted"
• many sense an impression in their spirit, some see
pictures in their spirit, some just have a "feeling"
• each individual is unique and so the prayer
facilitator may do some coaching to help the person get in
touch with God in a way they feel comfortable
Why
is it important to hear from God?
•
when God speaks to an individual, it is life-changing,
tender yet profound
• dependency on Christ rather than on the prayer
facilitator is thus encouraged
Why
does the prayer facilitator lead the client in prayer?
•
many people are not used to praying out loud or where to go
in prayer
• the object is to present everything to Jesus
• to give a voice to what the heart feels so Jesus can
bring healing
• keeping focused
Why
are some aspects repeated?
•
repeating helps bring the emotion to the surface
• repeating helps the person to actually hear what
they are saying
• repeating enables the process to become more alive
Why
do you "bind the darkness"?
•
this is not just "talk therapy" - we are entering into the
spirit realm. There are two forces according to the
Christian scriptures: the kingdom of God and the kingdom of
darkness. We recognize that the darkness will be there, so
we bind it right up front so the darkness cannot interfere
• it clears the thinking
• it frees up the will and the ability to choose is
easier - less interference
What
are "negative conclusions"?
•
they are what the person has come to believe about
themselves due to circumstances in their life around the
presenting issues. Jesus reveals them to the person
• what they have come to believe about themselves,
others and God
• they are the individual's reactions to life
circumstances - kept intact due to vows, judgments and
negative expectations
What
are "structures"?
•
structures are life patterns and behaviors which come about
because of negative conclusions
• they are the "house," the "strongholds" and are
revealed by the Holy Spirit
Can
you do Personal Prayer Ministry with children?
• yes, children are very
receptive and open to God
• their “past memories” may be from
yesterday or last week, not years ago
• they have to be old enough to understand about
"memories." Usually takes 5 to 15 minutes, depending on age
• must be kept short simply because of children's
short attention span
Can
you do this with non-Christians?
• yes, God can speak to
every human being
• however, with non-Christians the basic approach
needs to be modified
• in a compassionate way, we “talk” Prayer
Ministry, since a non-Christian may not be comfortable
praying
• while treating all with respect, we do explain to
non-Christians that we are coming from a Christian
perspective
Is
the truth permanent?
•
yes, the truth is permanent; once God’s Spirit speaks
to the person’s spirit, the change is lasting, though
needs to be walked out and practiced.
• encouragement is given to journal the truth for the
next few weeks, to encourage establishing the truth and
renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2)
What
is the ultimate goal of Personal Prayer Ministry?
•
to bring healing to life's hurts
• to bring people closer to Jesus
• to develop a living daily relationship with Him
• to release of all the spiritual gifts and potential
in God, and increase a heart for worship and thanksgiving,
in walking out one’s destiny
What
is the difference between Personal Prayer Ministry and
traditional Christian counseling?
•
there are many excellent sources of help using more
traditional "talk therapy," which have benefitted many
• however, there are some distinct differences when
compared with prayer ministry, although these differences
can vary widely
• Personal Prayer Ministry has some aspects of
cognitive therapy, as it is focuses on core beliefs, and
associated feelings; yet what is unique is the calling on
Christ in prayer to do the identifying of ungodly or
disempowering beliefs
• in His loving presence, deeply lodged feelings and
painful beliefs are revealed and released by the power of
the Holy Spirit
• to see a table showing some of the different
approaches and assumptions between traditional Christian
counselling and Personal Prayer Ministry,
click here.
What
is dissociation?
•
it is a complex coping mechanism developed in childhood, in
response to severe emotional stress, trauma or abuse. There
are degrees of dissociation ranging from daydreaming to
pockets of pain, to separate identities or alter states
within a person (called Dissociative Identity Disorder
formerly known as M.P.D. or Multiple Personality Disorder).
D.I.D. is considered a coping mechanism, not a mental
illness.
• these dissociative responses continue into adult
life, affecting an individual’s way of relating to
life stressors and relationships.
• some common characteristics of D.I.D. may include
such things as: depression, mood swings, suicidal
tendencies, amnesia, anxiety, flashbacks and memory loss.
• although only qualified health care providers, such
as psychiatrists, can diagnose dissociative disorders,
focused prayer can be very helpful to those who have
received such a diagnosis
• validation and relationship are key to receiving
Christ's touch. Through gentle facilitation with the prayer
facilitator and developing connectedness with God, the
suitcases of pain and walls of dissociation can diminish
and the ability to trust and attach can be re-established.
• individuals who have suffered from trauma and
dissociative issues generally feel safe in exploring issues
in a prayerful, accepting atmosphere where the love and
comfort of Jesus is evident
• for further information on dissociation,
click here
What
is your theological framework?
•
we come from a biblically conservative theological
background
• we respect those from theological traditions
different than our own
• we have ministered to individuals from many
denominational backgrounds, whether Protestant, Catholic or
non-denominational
• we honour the Christian scriptures as the Word of
God
• we honour Jesus Christ as the eternal Saviour
• we believe that God deeply loves each individual and
longs to bring healing and relationship with Him into their
lives
• we believe in the efficacy of prayer as a means of
God's grace to bring liberating truth into the hearts of
individuals, through the agency of the Holy
Spirit