Introduce yourself, then ask, “How can I pray for you?” or “Where does it hurt?”
In this first step, we introduce ourselves to the person, and ask the questions “How can I pray for you?” or “Where does it hurt?”
This is not a medical interview or a counseling session, but rather an opportunity to listen as we assess the person’s situation and need. This step ensures that the person feels valued, and gives us an opportunity to listen to God and the individual before any prayer begins. It also enables us to hear how the person perceives his or her condition before jumping to any conclusions.
According to Wimber, we are listening to the person on two levels at this point. On a natural (empirical) level, we are hearing the request. On a supernatural level, we are listening simultaneously for God to speak to us about the person and/or the situation. Based on what we are seeing and hearing, as well as on past patterns we may recognize from praying for similar types of people or conditions, we can begin to assess how God might be leading us to pray. However, we must not be dependent on our past experiences, but rather on God. Even as a person is speaking, the Holy Spirit may begin to give you pictures, scriptures, or other insights. In this case, it is not always necessary to have the person continue. Go right to prayer, as God may have another agenda that He wants to see fulfilled.
As we become increasingly sensitive and responsive to the Spirit’s presence over years of practice (Wimber suggested 40 or 50 years to start!), we become open for the Spirit to give us spiritual gifts for ministry.
During the interview, He may want to plant in our minds scriptures, words of knowledge (things we could not have otherwise known), or images (pictures illustrating something God is revealing). We take our time, are quiet, and listen. [bctt tweet=”Our dependency is on God to make something happen, not on ourselves. ” username=”vineyardusa”]He wants to do something beautiful and creative in this person, and loves to use us in the process. Wimber would say, “It’s more important to know what kind of person has a bug rather than what kind of bug has a person.” In other words, God may want to touch something in the person’s life other than the illness or topic of the prayer request! Be open to the Spirit’s guidance. If you have no clue what to pray after the interview, then be honest; don’t fake it or put on a spiritual persona. Maintain your integrity, and if necessary, just pray for God to bless the person.
Summary Notes
The following will help you remember what to do at this step:
• What can you see on a natural level?
• What do you sense on a supernatural level? Ask God for scriptures, words of knowledge, insights, visions, images
• Just get the facts; not a medical interview or a counseling session
• Move to the next stage when you’re ready.
