The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity

155
6.
Loved ones or friends may be inclined to hold their afflicted relative in an embrace of
some kind as they kneel at the rails. This should be gently discouraged. These
“supporters” should release the person ministered to and direct their own compassion into
silent prayer. 28
Phases of Ministry
1. Keep the dialogue with the individual to a minimum. Ask what the person wants Jesus to
do. Don’t let it develop into a life history. Jesus asked pertinent questions. The interviewer must
maintain the initiative.
2. Seek to discern the faith level of the afflicted person and encourage the interviewee to
articulate his belief that Christ can heal.
3. Invite the Holy Spirit to come down in the name of Jesus. Encourage the individual to
welcome him. Relax and wait for the Holy Spirit to minister—keep your eyes open to see what
God is doing; bless and honor what the Lord is doing.
4. Take plenty of time to seek and wait for further words of wisdom or knowledge to be
given to yourself or other members of the group. Introduce these when given by indicatory
prayers or suggestion--but not too directional. The person prayed for may be asked what he/she is
feeling.
5. Hands “on” or “off” is not a major issue. It is good for one person to place his hands on
the sick person—the others can identify by putting a hand on the shoulder of the person
ministering. Be led in the situation, but don’t overburden physically with too many hands! Be
sensitive if praying for one of the opposite sex in a delicate area. The afflicted person can put
his/her own hand on the afflicted area and then the person ministering can place his/her hand on
his/her arm.
6. Encourage the individual to be “open” to the Holy Spirit, receiving Him thankfully, to be
relaxed and not striving in prayer while receiving—not even speaking “in tongues.”
7. Let the Holy Spirit do any convicting needed. Those being ministered to must not be left
under condemnation, feeling too unworthy of God’s mercy or lacking in faith to receive it. Nor
should it be suggested that a person should go and “claim” his healing. Most of the New
Testament healings are miraculous/spontaneous, but there is clear evidence to show the efficacy
of prayer in spiritual healing over a longer period (soaking prayer) in the current literature
reporting the work of many of those engaged in the healing ministry where it is being blessed by
God (e.g. Francis McNutt).
8. The work of the Holy Spirit is ongoing and may not immediately be obvious. Take time
even if nothing apparently is happening. The person should be encouraged to come forward again
if he feels the ministry has been partially beneficial.
9. Be ready, if necessary, to speak to the condition “In the name of Jesus I command you to
be healed . . . to be made whole . . . (the swelling) to go . . . to receive your sight.” It is good to
emulate the words of Jesus himself, whenever this is appropriate in the healing ministry.