This is the Third Segment on Prayers

Finally, it makes no difference in pastoral ministry what we believe or what we say if it is not in accord with the Spirit's leading for that specific time and that place and that person. As a former basketball coach I learned that the best practices prepared my team for the unpredictable events that occur on the floor. And they always did occur. I taught the basics of passing, defense, shooting and endurance because that is what the players need to do to win.

Personal ministry is like war or sports. The actual battles have structure and follow principles but no predictability. I hate to hear Monday morning quarterbacks say what a coach should have done when most of them have never, ever played sports. Intuitively doing what is best in a game requires many hours of practice in cold, lonely gyms.

For the past 30 years I have taught the basic principles of listening, thinking, prayer and healthy relationships to leaders around the world. Many well known seminar leaders teach specific techniques of ministry but I prefer principles and processes so the people will learn how to hear God and follow His lead.

Follow good principles of deep heart listening.
Tune in to the Spirit and to the Seeker.
Be slow to speak and quick to listen.
Do not sing happy songs to a heavy heart
Do not offer pearls of wisdom to people in pain.
Ask the Seeker what has been most helpful to her.
Ask her when God was present.
Ask her what happened.
Ask her what God said to her.
Ask if her question has already been answered. In most cases God has already spoken and told her the answers to her questions and she wants to tell you what He said. (I have a chapter on this in Humpty Dumpty)

Our faith is worthless if we fail to conform to God's directives. God called me to be a warrior to cast down strongholds in His Name. His Kingdom is evident whenever we defeat sin, Satan and psychopathology.

This is not a mechanical or automatically thing that happens as a result of my superior knowledge. It is rather a result of knowing Him experientially in the midst of ministry.

(I do NOT know how to pray as I ought!)

Do not rejoice that the spirits are subject to you but that you name is written in the book of life. (Luke 10:26) Know WHO you are and solid ministry will surely follow. Do not be concerned about WHAT to do or say. It is God who leads the way.

gsweeten@lifewaycenters.com