Introduction
The CCR recognises that every person is made in the image and likeness of God. We therefore make every effort to protect and promote the dignity and welfare of all delegates at CCR events. The CCR is committed to safeguarding in all its aspects. These guidelines refer specifically to general Prayer Ministry at CCR events.
As part of each CCR event, it is normal to offer delegates the opportunity to receive prayer from a team, pair or individual should they want it; responding to this opportunity is always entirely optional.
Prayer Ministry Team
The organising team for each CCR event is responsible for selecting those who will serve on the prayer ministry team. These will be known to members of the team, who can use the Prayer Ministry Character Reference form to take upreferences.Where possible, before each event, the Prayer Ministry Coordinator will give or send these guidelines to each member of the prayer ministry team. Early in the event, the Prayer Ministry Team will meet and be given further guidance on how the prayer ministry is to be conducted in that particular venue as necessary. This will include any considerations identified by the team’s risk assessment of the venue. Also at this meeting, all members of the team will sign a sheet to say they have read and will abide by these guidelines. A system should be in place to identify members of the prayer ministry team. Delegates will be told that only those on the prayer ministry team are authorised by the conference to engage in prayer ministry, unless otherwise directed by leaders or speakers from the platform. It may be the case that from the stage the person leading a session may ask delegates to pray for one another or ask for team pairs to separate and pray one to one.
Organising the team
The Prayer Ministry Coordinator – or another designated person – will oversee the prayer ministry.
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Team members should, whenever possible, pray in pairs with individuals. Ideally these pairs should consist of one person of each gender, although we recognise this is not always possible.
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Where praying pairs consist of one gender, they should only pray with delegates of the same gender.
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No one is to minister to anyone of the opposite sex alone (unless parent, spouse or own child)
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Under 18’s, adults with special educational needs/learning disability and any known vulnerable adults are only to be ministered to if their parent or an adult responsible for them is present.
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If team members do minister to people on other occasions at the event, they must keep to these guidelines.
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If any team member witnesses ministry going on during the event that worries them in anyway, they must report this to the team leaders and to designated safeguarding officer for that event.
Prayer Ministry
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Make sure that if those receiving prayer ministry express the desire to sit down; this is made possible for them especially if they are frail or elderly.
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Where possible and appropriate, introduce yourself by name and ask their name.
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Avoid standing or sitting too close to the delegate you are praying with, as this can infringe on that person’s personal space.
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Prayer ministry is not essentially focused upon giving counsel or detailed advice.
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Great care is required should a team member suspect that an individual presenting themselves for prayer/healing ministry is suffering from mental illness.
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If the team member is unsure, or feel they are getting out of their depth they should go to the team leader who will support them.
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Advice should be sought immediately from the designated safeguarding person if any safeguarding concerns arise or are suspected.
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If you are led to lay hands on the person, you should ask the delegate if this is acceptable.
Laying on of hands
If the person is happy to have hands laid on them, these guidelines should be followed
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It is expected that prayer ministers will only lay hands on appropriate parts of the body, telling the delegate where you will place your hands before you lay hands – private areas must be avoided in all circumstances.
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If the delegate is uncomfortable with this, you can reach out your hands without touching them.
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When laying on hands do so lightly so there can be no accusation of pushing.
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Stroking, even if the person is crying, is to be avoided.
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Team members should try to ensure that the individual does nothing which might cause harm to themselves or others.
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Do nothing to make the person feel claustrophobic or physically overwhelmed.
Words of Knowledge
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As you pray with the delegate, you may sense the Lord has prompted you with a picture, a verse of scripture or a sense for the delegate you are praying with – these are to be offered to the delegate for their own discernment and no pressure should be placed on the delegate to accept them.
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Pray quietly for wisdom before speaking a word of knowledge.
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Do not instruct a person with specific advice or opinion about delicate situations,
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Be wary of giving specific guidance about delicate situations in the person’s life or relationships
Inner Healing
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Inner healing is a process, but prayer ministry is not a time for counselling. Be sensitive to what the Lord is doing in that moment.
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Try to ensure that the person feels at peace by the end of the prayer ministry.
Although we know that the Lord can instantly heal deep seated hurts, He does not always heal in that way. At a CCR event there may not be the time or opportunity to meet the person’s need as deeply as we would wish. Do encouragethe person to receive prayer atother opportunities outside the event, with others who can help and/or encourage the delegate to seek professional support if appropriate. If the delegate is already receiving professional help, encourage them to continue with this
Physical Healing
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Be sensitive to the physical needs of the person receiving prayer ministry.
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Ask the person to test the presence of the physical problem before prayer. Then afterwards ask them to test it again in order to be clear whether or not a healing – partial or complete – has taken place during the prayer time.
Scripture informs us that faith is often important in healing but not necessarily the faith of the individual themselves. Never blame a person’s “lack of faith” if there is no apparent healing. The Lord is sovereign in this area, so it is very important that the person is not made to feel guilty. Reassure them of God’s love and care for them and pray that they would receive God’s love and peace.
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Prayer ministers should never advise a delegate to stop taking prescribed medicines. If the delegate feels they have been healed they should seek an appointment with their own GP for further investigation.
Exorcism and Deliverance
It is the teaching of the Catholic Church that only trained and designated priests can perform exorcisms. Each Diocese in England and Wales has a designated exorcist and if prayer ministers have identified genuine concerns of demonic possession or manifestation the time of ministry needs to be brought to an end sensitively and safely with the guidance of the prayer team leader. The designated safeguarding person must be informed immediately and they, along with the prayer team leader will liaise with the appropriate diocese to identify the correct support for the delegate. Genuine demon manifestation is rare and must be discerned by the exorcist and his team.
Exorcism is never undertaken at a Catholic Charismatic Renewal event. In accordance with the teaching of the Church, prayer for exorcism can only be done with the Bishop’s approval and by those authorised by him to do so.
Within the Catholic Charismatic Renewal deliverance is understood separately from exorcism and is deemed permissible for appropriately trained lay people. Prayer ministers should sensitively lead delegates through a time of personal deliverance or freedom from various inappropriate attachments or addictions.
When ‘deliverance’ is spoken of within the context of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal it is implying that trained prayer ministers are praying with a delegate through issues, concerns or worries that have been identified by the delegate prior to or during the time of ministry.
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Do not engage in deliverance ministry alone, there must one other responsibly trained person with you
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If you are led to pray for a specific issue or in a specific way, do so with a quiet authority.
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Lead the delegate into a prayer of renouncement of the identified concern, issues or behaviour and then in a prayer of recommitment to Jesus. If the person is Catholic, encourage them to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation when possible.
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If the ministry does become loud or disruptive, ask the person to come to a private space and continue the ministry there, ensuring that a person with suitable experience is present. The team should always seek to protect the person’s dignity.
After deliverance ministry it is important to pray the light and love of God into the person and that the Holy Spirit would fill them. Do all you reasonably can to ensure that the person is at peace before they leave the event. Deliverance ministry may also need to be accompanied by prayer for inner healing.
Confidentiality
Members of the ministry team should be sensitive to information that delegates may share with them during ministry time. However, if a delegate asks a member of the team if they can share an issue with them in complete confidence, the team member should gently make it clear that they cannot promise this, as they may need to share information with the designated safeguarding person. If information of a criminal nature is shared, the team member may need to report this to a member of the leadership team. If the issue concerns safeguarding, information must be given to the designated safeguarding person for the individual event or community.
Prayer Ministry Guidelines were approved by the NSC on 5/7/19. They will be reviewed annually by the Safeguarding Committee of the NSC.