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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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