Mark McMinn (1996) seven types of prayer that are appropriate for use in counseling sessions. They are arranged in order of increasing risk of misuse in counseling.
- Praying for clients outside of sessions. As counselors, we are committed to the health of our clients. Therefore, we have a spiritual obligation to pray faithfully for our clients. This type of prayer is the least risky for a counselor to use.
- Silently praying for clients during sessions. The counselor needs to use this type of prayer with care. McMinn (1996) recommends using it during pauses in the session in order for the counselor to ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit. The counselor should keep it brief and set other limits so as to not interfere with the counselors listening ability. Having a counselor engaged in silent in-session prayer at the same time the client asking the counselor a question could damage the client-therapist relationship.
- Devotional meditation outside of sessions. This type of prayer can be as effective in reducing anxiety or anger issues in a client. However, whereas in Eastern religions, the use of imagery and meditation is used to empty one’s mind, this type of meditation is used to fill one’s mind with positive thoughts from the Holy Spirit as the guide.
- Devotional meditation during sessions. This type of prayer is considered effective as part of cognitive behavior therapy when a counselor is trying to help a client modify faulty core beliefs.
- In-session prayer training. Clients learn the various types of prayer during the counseling session and complete homework assignments at home to strengthen their spiritual life.
- Occasional in-session prayer. This type of prayer may be beneficial for those clients facing acute stress or grief, such as for people coping with the loss of a loved one. However, praying with a client who is known to have a mental disorder, such as schizophrenia could be destructive to the patient and to the therapeutic relationship.
- Routine in-session prayer. This type of prayer is what Jesus condemned as it is praying for social effect. Most prayer should a private relationship with God. Routine in-session prayer runs the risk of becoming a ritual as with praying before meals is a ritual and social effect.
References
McMinn, M. R. (1996). Psychology, theology, and spirituality: In christian counseling. Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
