Basic principles

The Importance of Scripture

    First of all it is Scriptural. It is a ministry which takes Scripture and its promises seriously. Reflecting on this as an Episcopalian, it could be stated simply as the response asked of all who would be ordained into the Ministry of the Church. "I do solemnly declare that I do believe the Holy Scripture of the Old and the New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation." (The Book of Common Prayer, Ordination to the Priesthood, page 526). Quoting from my article in May 1987 issue Sharing, a journal of Christian Healing:
    "'Salvation' (from the Greek 'SOZO' - to save to keep from harm. Preserve, rescue) implies a rescuing action. In the Dictionary of New Testament Theology, the author of the article on Redemption points out: ‘Whenever men by their own fault or through some superior power have come under the control of someone else and have lost their freedom to implement their will and decision, and when their own resources are inadequate to deal with the other power, they can regain their freedom only by the intervention of a "third party." 'It is in the light of this need of a 'third party' that Paul could write to the Galatians: 'It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery' (Gal. 5:1). The gospel message is a message of freedom, liberation in the right and proper sense. It is not freedom to do as you please, but freedom for each of us to respond to the perfect will of God in Christ Jesus."
    The coming together of Anglicans, Lutherans and Roman Catholics as well as those from other denominations and trans-denominational churches must be built upon a firm foundation of Scripture. The wholeness, the completeness we seek can be discovered in and through Scripture. It is the Scriptural base that provides the "glue" so that Christians (from Assembly of God to Roman Catholic) can be bound together in a mosaic that is more beautiful than its parts and yet would not be a mosaic without its parts.

The Importance of Prayer

Secondly, I would say that the strength and "success" of VMTC Prayer Counseling lies in its commitment to prayer. In Jesus' discourse on prayer, He exhorts: "And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives; and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened" (Luke 11:9-13). It brings to mind that passage from "Mort d'Arthur" by Alfred Tennyson which speaks to the truth of Scripture: "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of" (line 414). In an ecumenical ministry we are called upon to pray. If we are to be His disciples we need to be a praying people. Martin Luther once said (recorded in his TISHREDE): "I have twice as much to do today and therefore I need to pray twice as long." Prayer Counseling is built, as its name indicates, upon prayer: praying for guidance, praying for direction, praying for spiritual discernment and praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

The Importance of the Holy Spirit

This leads to the third source of strength for this ecumenical ministry of VMTC Prayer Counseling: a belief in and a waiting upon the Holy Spirit for guidance and direction. Again, returning to that passage in Luke, Jesus concluded His discourse on prayer by saying: "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him." Jesus tells us, as recorded in John 14:25, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." In a Prayer Counseling session I once had with an Episcopal priest, he burst out: "I didn't tell you that about myself!" "No," I replied, "that is what this ministry is all about." If we believe in the gifts of the Spirit - wisdom, knowledge, discernment, faith, healing, miracles, tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy - should we be surprised when God, in love, gives them to us? The Acts of the Apostles records what happens when Christians respond in the power of the Holy Spirit. Truly this is a strength of the Prayer Counseling Ministry.

The Importance of Confession of Sin

Having been involved for several years in an altar rail ministry of healing (by that I mean persons coming forward for the Laying-on of hands or the Anointing with oil) I realized both its strength and its weakness. Its strength lies in the fact that an individual as an act of faith comes forward believing that God can and does heal. Many can attest to the fact that God heals through this simple act of humility, combined with the Laying-on of hands or the anointing with oil. Its weakness lies in the fact that the person seeking healing may not be getting to the heart of the issue. For example, on one occasion a doctor came forward during an "altar rail" ministry seeking healing for his arthritis, which had become active. In a moment of spiritual knowledge I was led to ask, "Who are you angry with?" The effect was an immediate awareness of the need for confession. Following confession of sin and absolution, it was then appropriate to continue with the Laying-on of hands. The need for confession of sin was an essential part of the healing process. It is consistent with the exhortation of James in the fifth chapter, verse 16, "Therefore, confess your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed."

The Importance of Absolution or Assurance of Pardon

    As a priest, I believe that one of the great gifts that God has given to His Church is the power of absolution. As Jesus said to His apostles: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." This power comes from Jesus Himself. As John records in his Gospel: "He breathed on them" (John 20:22-23). In his first Epistle, John wrote: "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us" (1:8-10). On one occasion, having been invited to give the homily at a Healing Service in a nearby Presbyterian Church and to share in the Laying-on of hands and the Anointing with oil, a woman came forward for anointing. As she knelt there, with her specific requests, she was moved to make a confession of sin. As she completed her confession, I gave her the absolution in the name of Jesus Christ. In the background the organ had been playing. Suddenly, I became aware that the sound was not that of the organ but of a heavenly choir. The words of Scripture leapt into the forefront of my mind: "Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety and nine righteous persons who need no repentance" (Luke 15:7).
    The Prayer Counseling ministry would not be complete without both confession of sin and absolution, or, as non-liturgical churches would call it, "The Assurance of pardon." The person being Prayer Counseled must acknowledge his sin, repent of it and ask for God's forgiveness. Without this, there can be no healing of relationships. As a priest, I was accustomed to making and hearing confession, and yet in my own first Prayer Counseling session I had to come to grips with the reality of confession in a new and different way. I had to confess my sins in the presence of my Prayer Counseling team, which was comprised of two men and a woman, none of whom were of my religious persuasion. It was at first both a humbling and a threatening experience. Through it, however, I learned in a deeper way the meaning of God's love. I had gained new insights into that beautiful gift Jesus had given to His Church.
    It was this awareness of sin and the need to confess that led Anne S. White, the Founder and President of Victorious Ministry Through Christ, to begin her healing adventure. Her experience began in the loneliness of the middle of a long night as her son, then aged five, was in the midst of a severe asthmatic attack. In her own words from HEALING ADVENTURE, (p. 2):
    "Thus began my healing adventure - an adventure with God, seeking to know more of His will; to practice more of the principles of prayer which our Lord taught in His earthly ministry; to follow Him. This has revolutionized my attitude toward God, toward my family and those about me. As a laywoman I have sought to be used to funnel His healing Love and Power into the lives of those whom He has brought into my life, not because I am worthy, but because He is worthy. I have seen His Love heal those bruised by the sin of the world; those filled with hate (as I once was); those victims of their own self-pity - the bitter, the fearful.
    "This healing adventure which was begun over forty years ago has involved me in the ministry of intercessory prayer in many different countries as far apart as Japan, England, Singapore, Scandinavia, Pakistan, Canada and the Holy Land, as well as in many parts of America. Always our blessed Lord has revealed His healing Love. He is no respecter of persons, only conditions. The searching of the Scriptures has convinced me that in healing the sick, our Lord was proclaiming the Will of God; that it is a human 'No' rather more often than God's 'No.' To be divinely healed means to surrender to God. For many this price is too great, too costly. For many it is too hard to break free from the coddling of illness and assume full responsibility for life once more. For many it is easier to take a pill than to give up a life-long habit, grudge, resentment or fear. But after having witnessed the miracles of the healing love of Christ in my own life and those with whom our Lord has led me to pray, I am convinced that when we as the Body of Christ, the Church, provide a real climate of faith, His touch will have its ancient power!
    "Twenty-five hundred years ago Hippocrates so wisely suggested treating the whole man. Later Plato said that one ought not to neglect the healing of the soul when making the effort to cure the body. We can be thankful for doctors both in England and America who have many centuries later confirmed the interaction between spirit, mind and soul - the relationships exemplified by our Lord in His earthly ministry of healing. We can be especially grateful for those doctors who pray with their patients or meet regularly with pastors to share the healing work of ministering to the whole man. A study of their writings points to the important part played by human emotions on the body. It is hoped that this book will help to relate the approach of psychosomatic medicine to our Lord's healing ministry: that which is taking place today through His Body the Church as well as during the visible ministry of Jesus of Nazareth."

The Importance of Forgiveness

Anne S. White points to an important element in the act of confession of sin, i.e., the need to forgive. Jesus tells us: "forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us" (Luke 11:4). Jesus exhorts His followers: "Take heed to yourselves; if your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him; and if he sins against you seven times in a day, and turns to you seven times and says 'I repent' you must forgive him" (Luke 17:3-4). Again, with Peter who came to Jesus asking Him about forgiveness: "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Peter thought himself to be generous. Jesus replies, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven" (Matt. 18:21ff). Forgive! Forgive! Forgive!
A few weeks ago a woman in my parish was expressing her dismay over the people who had repaired their pool. Inefficiency, poor workmanship, excuses and lack of reliability made her angry. The anger increased until one day she realized it did not have any result in getting the task at hand done. The anger was hurting no one other than herself. She had to forgive. This speaks to an important spiritual truth in VMTC Prayer Counseling. It is not important what someone does to you. It is how you react that is important! That is what we have to deal with. I can forgive someone - not only that person who openly asks for my forgiveness but also the one who may be completely oblivious to the need to seek forgiveness. I can be set free, but I need to forgive and to seek forgiveness.

The Importance of Being Set Free from Bondages
to Persons, Places, Things or Experiences

Many people live in bondages - bondages to experiences, places, people and things. This is what Anne White discovered in her relationship with her mother-in-law. It is only in Christ that we can be set free from bondage. As Paul wrote to the Galatians: "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery" (5:1). I can relate to this because of my own personal experience. As a young boy, while at Scout camp, I almost drowned, or I thought I was drowning. In my enthusiasm and foolishness I had tried to swim beyond my depth. I suddenly found myself in an upright position and I did not know how to tread water. I went down twice before someone positioned a long pole over me and I grabbed it and was pulled into the raft. It was a terrifying experience, so much so that I was not able to become an Eagle Scout because I could not bring myself to do the swimming and lifesaving required. When at seventeen I enlisted in the service, I had to swim or be rejected for the Officers' Training Program. By sheer force of will I swam, but I never overcame the fear that was within me. I lived with this fear, until about three years ago when it came up in one of my own Prayer Counseling sessions. I dealt with it - I confessed the sin of fear, I was pardoned and cut free from the bondage to that experience. I was delivered from the fear of drowning! I did not realize how totally free I was until the next summer when, while swimming at the lake by our cottage, I suddenly realized the absence of fear. I still "respect" the water. I know of its dangers, but I no longer have that fearful spirit which had been with me ever since that childhood experience. Truly we can be set free from bondages to persons, places, things or experiences. There is no need to return to a yoke of slavery. Being set free from bondages is an essential part of the VMTC Prayer Counseling Ministry.

The Importance of Deliverance

    As an Episcopal priest, for years I have said the prayer of absolution as contained in the Prayer Book (THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER, p. 332). It goes as follows:
    "Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Pardon and deliver you. I had heard unkind things about deliverance ministries. Does not this belong to some extremist Pentecostal sects? Most certainly not to staid and proper Episcopalians! But for years I had said this prayer, in the prayer of absolution. Absolution involves being delivered!
    As I related this to my own experience of near drowning and the subsequent fear that came over me, I realized that not only was I cut free from the bondage to that experience, but I also was delivered from the spirit of fear that had hounded me for those many years. Truly I had been set free!
    The VMTC Prayer Counseling Ministry takes seriously this need, when necessary, to be delivered from whatever spirits - whether it be fear, anxiety, lust, etc. - which may be oppressing us. This can only be done in the power of the Holy Spirit, as we pray for the gift of discernment - the discerning of spirits. This truly is one of the gifts as Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 12. We recall that Jesus gave authority to His apostles over the unclean spirits. "And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits" (Mark 6:7).

The Importance of Healing and Commitment

A healing prayer is always a part of the VMTC Prayer Counseling Ministry. I have discovered, however, that many people want a healing and not necessarily to be healed! To be healed means to be thoroughly cleansed, changed, renewed. When the woman was taken in adultery, Jesus said, "neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again" (John 8:11). A true healing brings about change. For the Christian, this change can be achieved only in a life that is lived in Jesus Christ. We are powerless to help ourselves. Prayer Counseling as described by VMTC is a commitment ministry, for the healer is none other than Jesus Christ, Himself, who said, "apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). Commitment means a total surrender to Him.