Three Ways to Pray

There are three kinds of prayers and personal ministry for hurting persons.

1. Seeking Prayers that admit our lack of understanding and our need for God's direction even how and what to pray.

It also means that we are co-workers with the Spirit. We are not in charge of the ministry process. We collaborate with the Holy Spirit.

Usually a question does not demand a direct answer. In this case I wonder if the woman is asking something deeper. It may seem as though she wonders, "Where was God?", but maybe she is pondering something far more important. Perhaps she is asking, "Can I trust God now?" and "Can I trust you guys who claim to speak for God?"

So, at this point I would be hesitant to offer any definitive theological answer. First of all, we do not know the answer. Second, she will not accept it. Third, she will probably interrupt and say, "Yes, but..."

Many times a question requires us to admit we do not know what to say but we will pray for wisdom and asked her to explain what she is concerned about. Listen, listen, listen for out of the overflow of the mouth the heart speaks. (Luke 6:36 ff)

My books Listening for Heaven's Sake and Hope and Change for Humpty Dumpty teach this in some detail.

2. Speaking Prayers focus on what we say to God. After getting direction we can speak about what He said but it is not wise to say more than that. Many times people ask me to pray for things that I will not agree to say. Will you pray for my cancer? I answer, "I will seek God's direction and then speak to Him about what I heard."

May years ago a women asked for prayer for her colon cancer. My partner, Marie Martin, prayed a Seeking Prayer discernment that there was conflict with her husband. After three denials and times of probing the lady admitted her rage, cursed him and told of her severe unforgiveness, bitterness and hatred. Then we knew how to pray for her and could Speak to God with intelligence.

3. Soaking Prayers are required for chronic or very difficult situations. They include both Seeking and Speaking in an ongoing dialogue with God. The abused lady in question seems to need this kind of ministry. It may take teams many hours for many weeks to find release for this situation. In addition, abuse may be generational and include the entire family system so Soaking will be essential in breaking the cycle of these types of problems.

Take your time. The problems did not appear overnight and they will not likely evaporate in one prayer session. Relax and enjoy the process. God loves it when we enter into His presence.