Prayer ministry, when used properly, is the most incredible tool I know of for people to find freedom.
So what exactly is Prayer Ministry? Quite simply, it is prayer. It is honestly looking at and facing the pain in our life, then asking God to speak to it. We, as prayer ministers, do not seek to give advice, diagnose, provide insight, or give direction.
So often, Christian counselors inadvertently move people toward victim thinking in seeking to solve their problems for them, or even get a word of the Lord for them. Of course, people are happy for you to solve their problems for them if you let them, but this brings little lasting fruit and may lead to ego on the part of the minister. Any form of ministry that places me, the minister, as a person’s “source” is moving toward dangerous ground. People are really quite capable of hearing from the Lord themselves with a little support.
Prayer ministry should encourage people to discovery. A prayer minister should not take on the responsibility at any level to resolve a person’s problems, issues or pain in life, but should encourage people to own their own emotional pain, take responsibility for their own thinking, not blame other people or circumstances for their emotional reactions and move forward toward God’s resolution.
When people are willing to take ownership, I see them get free every time. When a person chooses to face their pain, God always shows up.
About robert
Thanks for the perspective Robert! There is so much “co-dependent” ministry going on it is a wonder anyone is getting healed.
“And you will know the truth…”
I love where you wrote this: “Prayer ministry should encourage people to discovery. A prayer minister should not take on the responsibility at any level to resolve a person’s problems, issues or pain in life, but should encourage people…”
You are so right on. This can be one of the hardest parts of praying for people, but also, once realized, one of the most freeing, realizing we can pray for people and help them, but don’t have to do everything for them and solve their problems for them.
God does show up.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.