The Ministry of Prayer and Healing

Prayer Ministry Training l Definition of Ministry “Ministry is serving God by providing a human vessel through which and by which the grace of God can move to reach people in their time of need, minister to them and then call them to a living relationship with Jesus.” Larry and Audrey Eddings

Prayer Ministry Training Being a “temporary assistant to the Holy Spirit.”

Best Definition of Ministry Ministry is: 1. The ministry of Jesus 2. To the Father 3. In the power of the Holy Spirit. --- Steve Seamands

My argument with God about Jesus’ ministry John 5:19. Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

The Need Is Great l Divorce, remarriage, blended families l Abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, spiritual) l Anger, unforgiveness, bitterness l All kinds of physical ailments and suffering. l Grief over various losses. l Stress of various kinds. l Addictions l Sexual confusion

A Few More Thoughts… l Caution against using formulas and becoming dependent on them. l Be open and willing to approach each individual considering their absolute uniqueness. l Study many approaches, then develop your own style.

A Few More Thoughts… l Learn many ways to honestly say, “I don’t know.” l 2 Chr 20:12 “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." – Jehosphat’s prayer. l Ministering from a position of “rest”.

John Wimber’s Example! Wimbers “preparation” for engaging in ministry. “I drink a Diet Coke”

Broad Overview l Diagnosis 1. What is the presenting problem? 2. What is the real problem? 3. How should we pray for the problem? l Prescription 4. Engaging in Prayer for the problem 5. Where do we go from here?

Prayer Ministry Training Five Steps For Prayer Ministry 1. The Interview. 2. Diagnostic Decision. 3. Prayer Strategy & Engagement. 4. Assessment of Results. 5. Post-Prayer Direction.

Step 1: The Interview l Answering the “What” Question. l Listening is key – One ear to person, one ear to Holy Spirit. l Goal is information gathering: “Tell me about…” Avoid “why” questions. (use when, how, who, what).

Questions Include: l Where does it hurt? l How long has it been hurting? l Has a doctor diagnosed it? l What do you feel the problem is? l Tell me what you are feeling right now? l Tell me what God is showing you? l What do you think you need the most right now?

Listening on Two Plains l Natural - Sort according to present and past experience. - What we see, know, have learned, etc… (5Ws and H) l Supernatural l Words of knowledge and wisdom, distinguishing of spirits, etc…

The Interview is Complete When: l You have ascertained cause of condition (natural, supernatural, social, emotional, sin, etc…) l God has told you what to do.

Step 2: Diagnostic Question l Answering the “Why” Question. l Task is to discover why this person has the condition so we can deal with the underlying causes not just the symptoms. l Problems are produced both in the natural and supernatural realms.

l Discernment is both natural and supernatural l “God is a scientist, not a magician.” - Albert Einstein l Looking for Root of Problem.

Kinds of Sickness: l Spiritual. – caused by person’s sin. l Physical. – caused by disease, accidents, unhealthy lifestyle, psychological stress, spiritual affliction. l Emotional – caused by being sinned against, unforgiveness, reaction to evil.

Kinds of Sickness: l Demonization. – caused by demonic spirits afflicting, harassing mind, body. l Relational. – caused by broken relationships or social brokeness that complicates healthy or redemptive relationships.

Fruit to Root Recognition

Step 3: Prayer Selection l Answering the “How” question. l How should I pray for this person.

Types of Prayer l Blessing. l Petition. Join them in asking God for healing. l Command. – Speak directly to the pain or condition. l Intercession. - Pray on their behalf. l Rebuke. – When dealing with the demonic.

Step 4. Ministry Time l Where we begin to actually pray for the person. l As we pray, we assess the results. l Since you are praying for specific results, ask specific assessment questions.

Interview again when: l When you see nothing happening: Some people are not in tune with their body Some people are programmed to failure Some people do not show any emotion. l When you see something happening: Ask person what is going on.

Basics on Praying l Position yourself in front of the person. l Pray with your eyes open. l Dial down. Stay calm. l Speak in your normal voice. l Remember that you are not the focus.

Basics on Praying l Take time. Wait on God. l Call on the Holy Sprit and work with Him. l Bless what you see the Father doing.

Stop Praying When: l The person you are praying for indicates it is over. l When the Holy Spirit indicates it is over. l When you cannot think of anything else to pray. l When you have prayed and it seems you have not gained any ground.

Step 5: Post-Prayer Direction l Answering the question, “What now?” l Involves keeping and continuing the healing. l Helps the person process and digest what has just happened.

Two General Possibilities 1. Personal Instruction. l Go and sin no more. l Make restitution. l Scripture. l Establish accountability. l More prayer at another time. l Fight the enemy.

Two General Possibilities 2. Referral. l Pastoral intervention. l Professional counseling. l Medical evaluation. l Books, recovery groups, etc.

A word about physical manifestations… l Physical phenomena are sometimes associated with the Holy Spirit’s activity. l They should not be equated with the Holy Spirit. They are a person’s responses to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

A word about physical manifestations… l Examples Include: Shaking Stiffening Change in breathing Rocking, weaving, acting drunk Laughing or crying Feeling hot or cold Fluttering eyelids Rippling of skin falling

Special and Specific Circumstances l Forgiveness l Rejection l Distorted images of God l Vows and Judgments (inner decisions) l Emotional and sexual bondages (soul ties) l Freemasonry l Fragmentation

Special and Specific Circumstances l Demonization l Personal habitual sin. l Victimizing sins of others. l Generational sin. l Dealing with the effects of territorial spiritual strongholds l Witchcraft

Special and Specific Circumstances l Jezebel l Religion l Intellectualism

The Five Miracles of Healing 1. The Miracle of Supernatural Healing 2. The Miracle of the Medical Doctor 3. The Miracle of the Healing Powers of the Human Body 4. The Miracle of “My Grace is Sufficient for you!” 5. The Miracle of the Victorious Crossing (Resurrection)