Bade and Cook have studied prayer as a religious coping strategy and have found that
there are different functions of prayer which describe the purposes for which
we pray.[1]
Some pray to seek God, others seek understanding and direction, and still
others pray to receive things like strength, comfort, or peace. Most have
sought prayer for coping at one time or another because they were in need of
something. Whether or not they were in need of guidance or wisdom, financial
provision, healing, or some other request, the authors note that using prayer
as a religious coping strategy is similar to seeking social support from a
relationship with God. There is something unique about knowing that God is
listening and having the ability to share, connect, and communicate with Him.
Participants suggest that prayer calms them, decreases fear, and serves as the
channel for communication with God.
Since there
appears to be various purposes of prayer as well as benefits to a person’s emotional
disposition from communicating to God, as counselors we must be aware of which
forms of prayer are helpful to which clients.[2] One
thing is sure: we should be interceding—even if silently—for our clients inside
and outside of sessions. When prayer is used as a coping strategy, both the
counselee and counselor are aware that can experience intimacy with God, from
whom the healing comes. It is my hope that in the counseling profession, when
we do not know what to do, our eyes would be upon the Lord, drawing near to Him
with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith for He who promised is faithful.
If we believe that those who seek God shall lack no good thing, why do we not seek Him? If our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth, why do
we look to things that do not satisfy for help? James encourages those who are
troubled to pray, noting that prayers can heal and that the prayer of a
righteous person is powerful and effective.
Joelle,
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate that you referenced the promises of God in your third paragraph. I too, have learned recently that this is one way that we can pray to God. Your post has helped me learn that praying the promises of God is specifically helpful in counseling others. When Jesus prays the Lords Prayer in Matthew 6,(a good outline for praying) verse 10 proclaims the promises of God. It brings hope that God is always in control.
-Carly
P.s. Your post reminded me of a song that I just had to include. Its "Promises" by Sanctus Reel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_RaKsTP4uM
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ReplyDeleteJoelle,
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting and encouraging post. You know it is very impactful what you said about knowing the healing effects of prayer and time spent with God but not attending to it. In life I think we are trained to depend on what is tangible for support. Friends, loved ones, and other acquaintances always seem to point us towards bed rest, music, warm baths by candlelight, etc (not that there is anything wrong with these things). And most seem to tack on prayer or scripture reading just to check it off on their invoice of "good advice." Everyone's experience is different , but I feel we seldom usher people into the throne room of grace, mercy, and healing that Christ abides in. The word of God instructs us to run toward His throne. Instead of moving toward God we build our own adulterine thrones that simulate what Christ offers us. After a while it seems that staying a mile high on our cushions is less risky than climbing down and running again toward Him. At any rate, true healing that goes beyond simply coping I think should is the key. We always seem to want to "feel better" about life instead of taking the risk of being healed in life. Our great privilege as counselors seems to be aiding in some way in the doing of the later.
What a good reminder of how each of us might approach prayer from a unique perspective. You are so very right that counselors need to be aware of how a client understands, uses, and needs prayer that are unlike themselves or another client. I think that how and what we pray has the potential to give us much insight into both our view of the relationship we have with God, as well as into our own lives. A prayer that I say might hold a lot of meaning for me, while saying a completely different prayer would be more meaningful for another person. Counselors have a serious responsibility to the client to be following the Holy Spirit's guidance whenever incorporating prayer in a session instead of solely relying on our own way of praying.
ReplyDeleteYou gave a wonderful challenge to always be in a prayerful mindset, especially with regards to intercession for clients. Prayer is definitely powerful because we serve a powerful God. Emphasizing God's faithfulness being apart from us is also a great truth to keep in mind, but at the same time this does not provide an excuse to be able to constantly doubt and not have faith. Instead, it should increase our faith, reliance, trust, and dedication to the Lord. We need to realize that prayer primarily changes us and works in our hearts and keeps us focused on heavenly things and God. Prayer is the communication between God and man whereby man seeks God to respond and while prayer cannot force God to move, the absence of prayer may prevent Him from doing so; not because he needs prayer to act, but because he needs man's willingness. Otherwise, he would violate our free will. Prayer is powerful and essential. Thank you for that reminder Joelle.
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