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Integrated Prayer Ministry
vs. Secular Analysis
Submitted by:
Cheryl H. Dely, M.S.W.
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Scripture declares
we are to “work out
our salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 3).
The root word for salvation means
“to become whole; to
become healed”. Wholeness and healing encompass much
more than a surface assessment of current pain and/or
dysfunction.
Forgiveness and
comfort have long been the standard for ministering healing.
While they are important and appropriate, standing
alone, they are incomplete.
We have been guilty of
“Healing
the wound of my
people lightly, saying peace, peace when there
is no peace”.
(Jeremiah 6:14,8:11)
We must ask
ourselves do we want the
“balm of Gilead”- a
long-term change agent?
Or will we be satisfied with a
salve – a temporary
remedy? If we are
going to “lay the axe
to the roots” (Luke 3:9) and go after deep level causes
of our pain, we must be willing to go the heart of the
matter.
We need to uncover
structures, patterns, habits, perceptions and thinking that
underlie and motivate current behaviors.
These deeply imbedded structures have developed over
time and may have their origins in early childhood,
generational sins/curses, emotional hurts and wounding,
various ungodly beliefs (inner vows, bitter root
judgments/expectations) or even demonic oppression, not to
mention our own sin nature.
If we truly desire
to lay claim to what is promised in scripture, mere
awareness is not enough.
v
“recover our sight”
(John 9:25)
v
“be set free…be
transformed” (Colossians 3:5)
v
“forgive and you
will be forgiven” ( Luke 6:37 )
v
“see to it no root
of bitterness springs up” (Hebrews 12:5)
v
“first clean the
inside of the cup” (Matthew 23:25)
v
“judge not that we
should not be judged” (Luke 6:37)
v
“not be put to
shame” (I Peter 2:6)
v
“honor father and
mother, so it may go well
with us” ( Exodus
20:12)
Cognitive
approaches that enlighten our understanding illumine the
problem. A problem-centered approach ignores the fact that
sin, our’s and other’s, is the root of the problem – not
hurts, wounds or shame. We must be willing to submit our
hearts to a process that is open to conviction, facilitates
forgiveness, death of these inner structures on the cross
and rebirth by the regenerating power of God’s Holy Spirit.
After all, the
Bible says our primary focus is to know and glorify God.
It is quite natural to want pain relief for
ourselves and others.
The temptation is to look at God as a way to put
our lives in order - the way we want it!
If counseling is really one aspect of
sanctification, what is the purpose of sanctification –
to get over our problems, or be a refection of God in
the middle of them?
If the heart has
not been effectively
dealt with from a comprehensive and integrated approach as
described above, true sanctification has been
short-circuited. Deeply rooted inner structures escape the
deathblow of the cross of Christ, and we continue as a
people who desire temporal solutions more than we desire
God.
Transformation
comes through brokenness. The bread that fed the multitudes
first had to be broken before it could be shared. Our
personal experience of ministry received reflects a law of
life. Can a stalk of corn produce an ear unless it first
receives life from the parent seed. It‘s the principle of
abiding, love absorbed and healing received.
As we have our soul-hunger satisfied, then we can go
forth with a full basket.
As we are talking
to others about their story, we are forced to look at our
story and realize they are parallel in deeply meaningful
ways. Sometimes you are addressing issues not yet addressed
in your life. Through
it, we come to know we aren’t healers or fixers, just fellow
strugglers who join with others in the pursuit of God.
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Doesn't
she write well? And a big thank you to Proclaiming His
Word Publications for sharing their revelations on
Integrated Ministry in "Restoring The Foundations."
Partnering with the Healer, Carlotta
PS: All
comments are welcome! Please contact us.
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