Step One:  The Interview

1. How can I pray for you today?
   
   1. Practice listening skills.
      
      1. Empathy.
      2. Non-judgmental listening.
      3. Unconditional love.
   2. Listen to God as you listen.
      
      1. Is this a physical, emotional or spiritual problem, or a combination of them?
      2. Use your spiritual gifts to determine what the problem is.  Be careful here, as you may confuse judgementalism with true discernment!  Seeing what is "wrong" with somebody is not discernment.  Seeing who the person really IS as God intended him or her to be is true discernment.
         

Step Two:  Diagnostic Decision

1. What is the cause or the root of the problem?
   1. Unconfessed and/or unrepented of sin.
      1. Binding sin and loosing forgiveness (see hand-out).
      2. Unforgiveness is a biggie!  Bitterness, anger, resentment, reactionism etc. can all be attached to this.
   2. Wounds from being sinned against
      1. Family of origin issues (including generational sins)
      2. Past relationships
      3. Authority figures
      4. Abuse, violence, rejection.
   3. Identity confusion
      
      1. distorted perception of God
         
         1. An inability to receive Father's love and care
         2. A view of God as demanding and harsh
      2. A distorted perception of self
         
         1. Shame, self-hatred, lack of healthy self-acceptance.
         2. Self-image wrapped up in things, people, positions, ministry, etc.
            

Step Three:  Prayer selection

1. What kind of prayer will best help this person?  In all prayer, we are to always invite the Presence of God to come and rest upon the prayee.
   
   1. Prayer of renunciation of sin (repentance).
      
      1. Do not make the mistake of swatting at flies.  We will cast out demons when it becomes evident that they are actually there.  
   2. Prayers of blessing, peace, and renewal.  We 'impart' the Presence to our prayees.
      
      1. Restoring the Father's Heart to your prayee.
      2. 'Freedom to be' prayer.  Prayer of affirmation.
      3. Being drenched or soaked in the Presence of God.
   3. Depth prayers (inner healing-type prayers)
      
      1. Is the person ready?  Do you have the time?  You don't want to open up a can of worms that you will not be able to deal with in 20 or so minutes.
   4. Prayer for physical healing.
   5. General prayers (direction, finances, school, work, etc.).
      

Step Four:  Prayer Engagement

1. What is the Lord doing and saying to you right now?
   
   1. Look for and expect physical manifestations such as warmth, tingling, eyes twitching, muscle spasms, shaking, etc.  Do not assume, though, that nothing is going on because you don't see anything going on.
   2. When in doubt, ask questions.  The prayee may not know how to receive.  Help your prayee press into God.  Some people may be convinced that God won't touch them and may need help to overcome barriers.
   3. Speak the Word of God to your prayee.
      
      1. Prophetic and word of knowledge gifting is very important.
         
         1. Qualify your statements with "I think" phrases.  Always give your prayee the option to not agree with your word.
         2. Remember that it is more important that your prayee hears from God for him or herself than whether or not you have a word.
   4. Bless what God is doing.  Pray for more (more, Lord).
   5. Be sure you stop praying when it is time to stop.
      
      1. If your prayee wants to stop and you don't sense God is through, be gracious.  Seal up what has been done and invite your prayee to get more next time.
      2. Don't try to make something happen.  If you sense that nothing is going on during prayer, let that be ok.  Results or the lack of them do not validate you as a person.
      3. Be sensitive to the Spirit's leading for the appropriate time to end.  Don't end too soon either.
         

Step Five:  Post prayer direction

1. Where do I go from here?  Aftercare and getting plugged in for the long term.