Prayer is a vital aspect of Abiding in Christ as well as in Discipleship Counseling. 

The counselor’s praying life is a facet of walking in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16). Prayer can be expressed silently and audibly before, during, concluding, and following counseling and discipline sessions—”pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). 

The Lord Jesus modeled this spiritual communication with the Father through His example, throughout His ministry (Luke 3:21; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18,28,29; 11:1; 22:32,41), and in His high priestly prayer in John 17. 

Paul’s Holy Spirit-inspired prayers for the churches are relevant for the disciple and the discipleship counselor. Sometimes one of these prayers could be read to begin a session:

• Ephesians 1:15-22; 3:14-21
• Philippians 1:9-11
• Colossians 1:9-14

Jennifer Kennedy Dean’s books have a grace and identity in Christ orientation. (She also discerned the spirit, soul and body model of man.) Her flagship book is  Live a Praying Life. It is also available in a workbook edition with DVDs.[1] (GFI’s weekly online Bible study will walk through the chapters beginning February 2,2026.)

Elmer Towns wrote the book, How God Answers Prayer. In an article on counseling he noted, “…a Christian counselor instinctively asks the question, what is the role of prayer? I suggest a three-fold role of prayer in counseling: (a) praying as the counselor for the client, (b) directing the client to pray for himself or herself, and (c) praying for the actual healing process.”[2]

Therapeutic prayer is taught in James 5:13-16: “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (NKJV).

A collection of free resources on prayer is at MyPrayerHelps.com

Samuel’s farewell address conveys the pastoral heart of an intercessory leader: “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you” (1 Samuel‬ ‭12:23-24‬ ‭ESV)‬‬

May we fully cooperate with the Holy Spirit Who aids us in praying for ourselves and those we disciple and counsel (Rom. 8:26,27).

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[1] Jennifer Kennedy Dean, Live a Praying Life: Open Your Life to God’s Power and Provision (New Hope Publishers, 2011).

[2] Elmer Towns, “Prayer in Counseling,” in The Popular Encyclopedia of Christian Counseling. eds. Tim Clinton and Ron Hawkins (Harvest House, 2011), 143.

JBW