Tag Archives: Dependency on God

The effective use of prayer in counseling begins with understanding the nature and function of prayer. Merriam-Webster’s defines prayer as “an address (or a petition) to God or a god in word or thought” and the act of praying as “to entreat, implore, often used as a function word in introducing a question, request, or plea.” However, a Christian understanding of prayer assumes an intimate relationship with God (such as fellowship with God, resting in God, communing with God, etc.) and is usually expressed in a conversation with God (such as worshipping, praising, confessing sins, requests, etc.). Prayer is an expression of worship and dependency on God, and it unleashes the power of the Holy Spirit.

Though much of psychology has often dismissed the role of prayer in counseling, studies conducted on the psychological effects of prayer have identified several themes: Prayer has been found to be associated with a personal feeling of well-being and a greater sense of significance and purpose in life. Prayer has also been shown to help clients in coping with pain and medical problems and even to have an effect on physical health (McCullough & Larson, 1999; McMinn, Ruiz, Marx, Wright, & Gilbert, 2006; McMinn, 1996).

When attempting to help a person through a problem or difficulty, a Christian counselor instinctively asks the question, what is the role of prayer? I suggest a three-fold role of prayer in counseling: (a) praying as the counselor for the client, (b) directing the client to pray for himself or herself, and (c) praying for the actual healing process.

Prayer by the Counselor. When a counselor invokes God’s presence and power to solve a problem, healing takes on a divine dimension. Paul prayed for those he sought to help (see 1 Cor. 1:3; Phil. 1:4; 1 Th. 1:2), and he asked for prayer as he attempted to minister to others (see Rom. 15:30; 1 Th. 5:25; 2 Th. 3:1). A counselor should pray for insight into the person and the difficulty he faces, and then he should pray for clarity of mind to properly diagnose the problem. Next, he should pray for wisdom to determine the solution(s) that would help the client and ask for God to lead him in the counseling process as he uncovers more truth about the issues at hand. The counselor should be yielded to the Holy Spirit so, when changes in the direction of therapy arise from the counseling conversation, prayer will help lead to a successful solution.

Some skeptics feel that the counselor should not ask for God’s divine intervention, or miracles, because prayer cannot upset or overrule the natural world. They believe natural laws are the controlling power of life’s events, and praying for divine help could not override or abdicate any law of nature without throwing the entire system into chaos. Christians, though, believe that the natural world is created by God for his honor and glory. He has the ability to step into time and space, and indeed, the Scriptures promise that he delights in intervening …

The Popular Encyclopedia of Christian Counseling, General Editors: Dr. Tim Clinton & Dr Ron Hawkins