Deliver Us from Evil - praying for liberation
AS DALLAS Willard put it, how we live in the world now and in the future is a result of what we have become in the depths of our being, through our spiritual history and choices.1 It is here that the importance of inner healing and deliverance comes to the fore: deliver us from evil. Inner healing focuses on abundant life in God, repairing brokenness, hurt and all that disturbs our relationships with others, God and ourselves.
Deliverance focuses on liberation from any kind of oppression or bondage to unclean spirits and Satan. It involves prayer for freedom from spiritual strongholds such as sin, bitterness, unforgiveness, envy, and revenge. These are negative patterns that block our growth and relationship with God. Deliverance also focuses on demonic impacts (untruth in all its forms), addictions, curses and piseoĢgs, or dark moral, relational and emotional burdens.
Prayer is integral to church life and ministry. However, building a team for prayer ministry focused on healing and deliverance requires good planning and study. A clear vision or mission statement is needed, and the identification of clear goals. Member discernment is also significant, as is training in the forms of prayer required. Some knowledge of developmental psychology is also suggested.
* Full article available in printed copies.
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Jack Finnegan
Is a former associate professor of spirituality, specialising in contemplative psychology. As a priest and psychotherapist, he continues to offer spiritual accompaniment and training in this area.