Sometimes someone comes for prayer ministry and it can sound shocking. Recently I ministered to someone and although I felt inadequate Jesus brought her a measure of freedom. At a conference, there was a call from the front for those suffering depression to come and receive prayer ministry. I prayed for a woman I will call Tasha. First of all, I asked Tasha when the depression had started. She said many years ago after something terrible and complicated. happened. As soon as I invited the Holy Spirit to come upon Tasha her body started to tremble. I had a strong sense that there was some fear of not being in control and feeling powerless. I asked Jesus to come and be between Tasha and the fear, to come with everything that He had done on the cross for her to bring freedom.
I then asked Tasha to declare out loud that she had been given power and authority in Jesus’ name (Luke 9:1) to use against the enemy. To declare that she wasn't powerless and that Jesus was in control. I then told the depression to lift off her in Jesus' name. Tasha said she felt really peaceful.
Then Tasha told me some of her backgrounds. She said that when she was 17 years old her Dad had killed her Mum in her house. Her brother didn't live at home and so she was suddenly alone. I asked Tasha if she had a fear of death. She said yes. I explained that death had come close to her and asked her permission to break the power of death over her. This I did, firmly, but not raising my voice. I then spoke life to the 17 year old girl within. After this, I asked Tasha if she could, as an adult, take her 17 year old self by the hand and visit Jesus standing at the cross. As she was doing this I sensed that Tasha felt guilt and shame. After asking her about this Tasha said that she did feel shame. I encouraged Tasha to remove the filth of shame that she had covered herself with....it was as if she was wearing it like filthy clothes. To hand the shame to Jesus. I explained that He had taken that on the cross and died for it. Then I encouraged Tasha to receive what Jesus was giving her in exchange.
I also asked Jesus to 'grow' Tasha as I sensed that she had been stunted by what had happened in her family.
Tasha said that she no longer had a knot in her stomach. I sensed that Tasha needed to grieve...as the 17 year old. All that she had been robbed of. The loss of years when she should have been enjoying new experiences, not the horror of what had happened. I felt that the suppressed grief was the root of the depression. I encouraged Tasha to invite Jesus to come and grieve with her on a daily basis. To put her hand on her chest and invite the Holy Spirit to come and comfort and counsel her, to invite daily Jesus to show her how to grieve. As the bible says 'he is a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3). Afterward, Tasha looked really different.
She was on a journey with Jesus and I had to leave her with Him. Sometimes we can just facilitate someone taking a step or two. Then we have to leave them with Him. He is more than able to finish what He starts. Thank you dear Jesus.