There is a place for experienced counseling in the church. God gives special gifts to certain individuals and enables them to touch the lives of others in meaningful ways. But the reality is that care and counseling does not belong in the sole possession of a gifted few. All of us are called to care for our brother or sister and the encouraging thing is … it’s easier than you might think.
James said it this way, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
In the following video Ed Welch gives a simple assignment that all of us can put into practice easily. Counseling is within reach of all of us given the fact that we have the Spirit of God within us and the love of God constraining us.
very helpful! Thanks, Bill. I need the reminder to pray WITH someone. More often than not, I am lazy in this area and give the status quo, ‘I’ll be praying for you’. Thanks for the reminder to stop and pray with my friends, not just for [particularly when the latter ends up being an unfilfilled promise].
Thanks Danielle! And thanks for your prayers.
It’s almost funny how easily I can forget this — even though it works wonders (often quite literally) when I remember the importance of on-the-spot prayer. Thanks!