The Jesus Way of Prayer Ministry

The man raised his head and looked straight at me, “I have never been prayed for with such gentleness and kindness – and I have received many prayers for my problems over the years!” Five minutes earlier, he had difficulty looking anyone in the eyes. He had been oppressed by thoughts of worthlessness, self-harm, and suicide for years. One encounter with Jesus through prayer ministry transformed everything and he left smiling with his head up, evidence of God’s touch in his life. 

The self-description of Jesus as gentle and kind (Matt 11:29) applied to prayer ministry. Gentleness and kindness put the humility of Christ into action in the world and those characteristics allow us to live and minister with humility. This was a core principle that I taught at the Asbury Outpouring for the prayer ministry training.

In one brief encounter during the Outpouring, a man harassed oppressively for almost a decade was transformed through prayer ministry and what stood out to him about that encounter was the gentleness and kindness he received. He stated it factually and unprompted, with amazement in his voice. My ears heard his voice, my spirit heard the confirming voice of Jesus. Hundreds of people from dozens of denominations participated in the prayer ministry training. In the earliest days of the Outpouring, the Holy Spirit confirmed through this young man, that He is the gentle and kind Healer. Jesus is inviting us to join him in a practice of gentleness and kindness that overflows from us into those around us. How can you include these characteristics in your life and prayers?