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I'm convinced that regardless of where I am, what I am doing or what I am going through, God is doing the most loving thing concerning me.
4 comments:
Well, God answers when we ask. I'm learning alot.
It seems that at it's source theophostic prayer techniques are legitimate. Like most things, they are subject to interpretation. This is where the trouble starts.
You know, Christianity itself falls neatly into the definition of "cult".
Let anyone who lacks wisdom ask of God, Who gives liberally... isn't that close to what it says in James?
[Lord Jesus, thank You for showing me Your way and leading me in Your paths. I ask that You continue to do this, especially in this matter of theophostics.]
I'm beginning to get a more focused view of what theophostic prayer actually is. According to the source, it is about Jesus bringing His perfect truth and subsequent perfect perspective to a foundational "place" (ie:attitude, belief, patern of thinking) where an indivdual is believing a lie instead of the truth, to be the reality. A metaphorical way of stating this is that Jesus brings light into their darkness (hence the term "theophostics").
A quick over-simplified example might be: a promise is made, the promise is broken, the person believes all future promises will likely be broken.
Still studying & researching... the first to present their case seems correct until another comes forward to question them.
I so want to hear more about your experience and research. I stumbled upon the phrase, theophostic prayer, a few months ago. And I was intrigued but wary at the same time.
I'd like to summarize the year long journey I've taken with theophostics here. If any would like do ask clarifying questions, they are very welcome to do so.
In my judgment, theophostics or (TPM - Theophostic Prayer Ministry)is a legitimate form of guided personal growth and development prayer which, like any practice on this earth, may be influenced by the weaknesses of misinterpretation and misapplication.
GUIDED: The technique, as taught by Ed Smith, requires a facilitator to guide you through the process so that you will be free to concentrate on the issue being addressed without the distraction of following a prescribed process. It is my opinion that this is a very good but, not an essential element to have when praying this way.
PERSONAL: It is very personal so, one would most likely only feel comfortable practicing this with a trusted friend, mentor, or a counselor.
PERSONAL GROWTH: I discovered that this is where most of the controversy lies. Some do not trust the idea of healing emotional wounds. It is not my purpose here to lend anything to that debate so, I will focus simply on theophostic principle. In an earlier post I described the term "theophostics" as Jesus bringing light into someone's dark place. This is why it is about personal growth and it is also why it is so personal. We all have dark places that need His light. It is our human nature not to go to these dark places yet, Jesus loves us too much to let these things go unaddressed in our lives. The premise is this: if we allow the opportunity, He will bring light to our personal areas of darkness. The technique is this: quiet yourself, let your thoughts and emotions settle or rise to the top, ask some simple examining questions whose answers reveal what you are believing to be truth. The opportunity for personal growth is this: you choose whether or not to allow Holy Spirit to reveal His truth to you about what you're believing. You choose whether or not to align your belief with the truth. You choose whether or not to allow Him to change you.
AND DEVELOPMENT: This techique is taught to be be used as an ongoing process that does not end until we are made perfect in Christ. Our minds, emotions, and bodies are living and dynamic and that means our life as a disciple of Christ will always be living growing, maturing or, it is become a dead branch to be thrown into the fire.
PRAYER: This is specifically placing yourself in an attitude of communing with God, talking with Him, listening to Him. When you have a facilitator and/or prayer partner(s) with you it becomes a chord of three strands, not easily broken. The "when you agree together in prayer" and the "when you ask according to My will" principles apply.
WEAKNESSES: I see a few areas to watch for:
1)Ed Smith's background is in pastoring and counseling/psychology. TPM as he presents it is highly influenced by these vocations. As a result, it often but, not always, tends toward a private fee for service offering.
2)The deep personal nature of this technique could leave a person open for abuse. This is why highly recommend a mature, balanced, trusted facilitator who is following the leading of the Spirit with great senstivity and/or prayer partners.
3)Overcomplication of the technique and/or dependecy of a receiver on a particular facilitator instead of on Jesus. This technique is about life transformation and spiritual formation. This is God's work in us. He is able to keep us and to present us holy and pure, without spot or wrinkle, before the throne on that day. We can talk with Him and receive light and healing from Him anytime we desire Him. We may come boldly before His thone to receive mercy and find the grace we need because of the work Jesus has already done for us. Facilitators help but they are not essential.
Now I offer my personal preferences for the application of this technique being taught by Ed Smith as Theophostic Prayer Ministry:
- I think it best practiced as a spiritual discipline with some degree of regularity both personally (without a facilitator) and corporately, within the context of your small spiritual growth group. I believe the small group should learn the technique together and practice it as a regular part of their corporate activity but, not as their exclusive activity.
- The next best practice of TPM would be in the context of private pastoral counseling.
In conclusion, TPM is another venu of the spiritual discipline of prayer. When walking with your eyes open and following the Spirit's leading, there is no reason to fear it any many reasons to practice/receive it.
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