SPIRITUAL ATTACK
Spiritual attack often comes in the aftermath of ministry. It is not uncommon for team members to find themselves feeling sad or somewhat depressed after the meetings. This is sometimes no more than the result of returning to normal living. It also occurs because of the tremendous anointing of God flowing through us. The anointing of God can cause the human body to get very tired. Ministry is fun and exciting, but it can also be draining.
We have observed that another common area spiritual attack is against family members. It is therefore important to be on the look out for one another and be prepare to give support to any team member who may find themselves under attack. James 4:7 says, '' Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.''
In a very real way, individuals who sign up for the ministry team are enlisting in front line duty in the warfare. In seeking to bring the kingdom of God into people's lives, we are effectively acting as a liberating army whose aim is the freeing of individuals from their oppressor, Satan. We must expect Satan to strike back. He will not sit back while he sees us take what he considers to be his. He will attack the works of salvation, healing, and deliverance that we have become involved in. It is therefore essential to be on guard, to ensure that we have a right relationship with God and our fellow-man, and to understand that Satan does not play fair.
His strongest attack will be at our weakest point at the most unexpected time.
Our goal is to function in a healthy way in order to enable us to bring health to the rest of the body. Paul writes, '' And what I have forgiven-if there was anything to forgive- I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake,in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
2nd Cor 2:10-11
How do we walk ln this ministry? We are to help people connect with Jesus through the Holy
Spirit. Our purpose is not to teach some great truth we have learned. It is not to cause manifestations to occur. We cannot initiate God's work
in a person (John 5:19-20). We can, however, be involved with what God's doing.
We are like a UPS driver. We do not send the package, but we do deliver it. (2 Timothy 1:6)
We are a vessel through which the Glory of God can flow. We are to help others receive
something from Jesus. If the person you are ministering to is praying or talking constantly,
consider, as the Spirit leads, encouraging them to listen and receive instead.
We are to be sensitive and caring. People who want prayer are exposing their vulnerability. Let
love,grace,and mercy of God flow through you to them. They want to know, ''Does God really love me?''
Pray for others as you would have them pray for you. You may ask the person if they are saved. Some people come foward to give their hearts and lives to Jesus. If they are lost, yet not ready to surrender, you can still pray for them anyway. You may pray, for example,
'' Father, draw ____ to You.'' or '' Lord, overwhelm them with Your love.'' etc...
A note on praying in tongues. Tongues is not for edification of the person you are praying
for , it is for your own personal edification. Be sensitive to the person you are praying for. If
you are convinced you are to pray in tongues, do so softly. Do not let what you do become
a distraction for the person to whom the Lord is ministering. Pray with your eyes open. This will allow you to see the Spirit at work. ABSOLUTELY, Do not push anyone!!!
Suggestions on how to pray for people.
1. When praying for individuals, watch closely what the Spirit is doing (John 5:19). If there is no
evidence that they are receiving anything from the Holy Spirit within a few minutes, it is often
wise to simply allow that person to wait in God's presence and come back later. We have found it is even advisable to say something like, '' I want you to stay with Jesus a little while longer, and I will be back to you later.'' Meanwhile, others will pray for them, or you can come back when you are done with the next individual.
2. When people fall in the Spirit, or rest in the Spirit, keep praying for them. It seems that everyone wants to get up too quickly. God continues to work even when we are on the floor. Sometimes it may be noticeable, other times it may be quiet, or more inward. Encouraging people to get up too quickly seems to work against what the Lord wants to do.
3. Generally, people are standing when they receive ministry. Our emphasis is not on falling or receiving an outward manifestation , although it does happen sometimes. Our emphasis is on connecting the person to Jesus. If someone would feel more comfortable sitting in a chair,bench, or floor, honor their request. This will often take their fear away. People can experience God
sitting,standing,or lying.
4. Do not force ministry. If the Spirit is not doing something, relax and remember that there will always be another time.
5. There is sometimes a '' backwash phenomena ''. This means that the anointing or blessing that is intended for the individual you are praying for can actually come back on you.
6. If a person is not receiving, you might help them do the following: Help them deal with a
tendency to rationalize or analyze. Calm their fear of loss of control by helping them know what to expect.
For example, let them know that they will have a clear mind, that they can stop the process at any point if they want to, and that the Spirit comes in waves. Encourage them. Realize that receiving is not always an emotional feeling or display,or evidenced by manifestation
Pray biblical prayers like:
- Come Holy Spirit.... Let your kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven.
- Father, pour your love on ____.
- Give ____ a deeper revelation of Your love in Christ.
- Lord, anoint ___ for service.
- Release the gifts and callings into ___ 's life.
- Bring the light and expel the darkness from ___'s life.
- _____, return to your first love.
- Lord, give ____ a deeper more intimate relationship with You.
If a person falls, be sure they don't get hurt. Be especially careful with those who have back problems or are pregnant. It is ok to talk to the person as the Spirit is moving and dealing with them. Don't project what God has been doing with you on the person you are praying for. For example, if you have been laughing, don't pressure them to laugh. Find out what God is doing for them and bless it.
No directional prophecy or correction is to be given without a person from the church leadership present. Prayer ministry is not counseling or deliverance. If there are demonic manifestations, take the person out of the room with a person from the church leadership to help minister to them.
Do not lay hands on anyone inappropriately. Be careful when ministering to members of the opposite sex. When laying hands on an individual, do just that, don't rub or pat. This might become an annoyance to them and be a distraction, causing them to lose their focus. It is okay for someone to receive prayer several times in the same meeting.
Be willing to receive prayer for yourself. People always respond best when the leaders are also responding. Be careful about pride and presumption. God gets ALL the glory. Since all results are in God's hands, we can never take the credit, nor the blame for the outcome.
Do not shout. Do not use religious, manipulative, or preachy prayers.
If someone confesses sin, assure them it is forgiven.
Assisting people who fall under God's power.
- Please do not push or pull anyone over.
- If you are asked to catch someone, put your hands in the small of their back. This gives people confidence that you are behind them and does not interfere with the prayer process.
- As a ministry assistant, do not pray out loud. This can confuse the person receiving prayer and the person ministering. Agree in prayer softly.
Words of knowledge
- By definition, a word of knowledge is the supernatural revealing of a truth by the Holy Spirit to help a specific situation or problem.
- A word of knowledge may come in situation's where God's will is needed:
- To reveal sin. (2 Sam 12:7)
- To warn or provide safety. (2 Kings 6:9)
- To reveal thoughts. (Mat 9:4)
- To provide healing. (Mat 9:2)
- A word of knowledge may come in one of the following ways:
- A picture.
- A word or sentence realized or seen.
- A physical sensation experienced.
- By simply speaking the word, then later realizing it's signifigance.
If a word of knowledge comes to you for the person you are praying for, ask them humbly
if these impressions are correct. Do not say, '' Thus saith the Lord'' unless you are certain that the Lord is indeed speaking.
Praying for Healing.
The Interview:
1. Conducted on two planes.
- The natural. ask:
Where's it hurt? It's not necessary to gather too much info.It's not a medical diagnosis. - The spiritual
.Ask the Spirit to show you or the person His insight.
- Wait on God's word.
- Do not give an opinion. Let God reveal the solution.
The interview is complete when: you know the cause of the condition and God has begun to show you how to specifically pray about it.
The diagnostic decision.
- Is the problem a natural condition?
- Due to sin?
- unforgiveness?
- unrepentance?
- Natural disease?
- Emotional or social problems.
- Inherited conditions?
- Is it a spiritual condition?
- Demonic oppression, bondage, or possession?
- Unbroken curses?
The prayer selection.
Prayers to God.
- Petitioning the Lord on the person's behalf.
- Asking for the Spirit's presence
- Healing.
Asking for an anointing on them
- Pronouncements
- Commands of faith.
- Renouncing, breaking sinful patterns and curses. Binding, rebuking, and commanding demonic influences.
Evaluation of effectiveness.
- Prayer ministry should be specifically directed toward the diagnosed problem while looking for indications of the Spirit's presence and actions.
- Keep your eyes open and look for supernatural phenomena.
- Clues that the Spirit is ministering to the person include their noticing warm ortingling sensations. Also they may: Shake, breathe deeply, weep, groan, or laugh.
- Ask questions. How are you doing? Sometimes the person can discern what the Spirit is doing - sometimes not.
- Stop praying when:
- The person receiving the ministry indicates it's over.
- When the Spirit tells you it's over.
- When you cannot think of anything else to pray.
- When you do not seem to be gaining any ground.
- After the prayer
- Summerize the situation - explain what has happened.
- Share any encouragement or exhortation given to you by the Spirit.
- Direct them to follow through on any repentance for sin that the Spirit has begun dealing with. ''Go and sin no more''
- Do not lay any guilt trips on people.
- Avoid giving any advise.
- Additional considerations.
- Try to pray in teams of two or three. People working as a team can often hear God more accurately and can agree together.
- Avoid more than 2 or 3 people praying for a person
- This can be overwhelming or intimidating.
- One-on-one may be the best way to minister too, especially if it's a request of a personal nature.
- Never pray alone with a member of the opposite sex.
- Get someone with the same-sex to assist you.
- Make sure that the person receiving the ministry is treated with respect.
Anything prayed for is to be held with the strictest confidence.- Unless the person grants you the permission to share it. Some people with real difficult problems may need to be referred to the church leadership. Always feel free to give a lot of love, encouragement, and hope.
Compiled from:
WALKING IN THE
MINISTRY OF THE
HOLY SPIRIT.
Stony Point Christian
publications.
published in June 2000
