Adapted By Bill Jackson, Senior Pastor
Black Mountain Vineyard Christian Fellowship
San Diego, USA

1. STEP ONE: THE INTERVIEW (“Where does it hurt?”)
A. Conducted on two planes
1. Natural
a. Ask the person what they think is wrong, where it hurts, etc.
b. As they talk, try to read not only what they are saying but how they are saying it (facial expression, tone of voice and body posture).
c. Look the person in the eyes. Focus. Don’t be distracted by what’s going on around you. Listening is hard work!
d. Process what you see and hear according to all your past experience in working with people.

2. Supernatural
a. Dial down and tune into the Lord as you do the above.
b. Ask the Lord for the root cause. Listen for words of knowledge, words of wisdom and discerning of spirits.

B. This is not a medical interview.

C. The interview is over when you’ve reached a diagnostic decision (see below) and sense the Lord’s direction on how to proceed.

2. STEP TWO: DIAGNOSTIC DECISION (“What has caused this condition?”)
A. It could be caused by natural factors
1. Living in a fallen, sinful world (e.g., virus, accidents, etc.)

2. Sins
a. Sins they have committed (e.g., fornication leads to VD)
b. Sins committed against them (e.g., incest leaves emotional scars)
c. A combination of the above (e.g., cancer caused by bitterness against an alcoholic father)
d. Inherited sin traveling along family or social lines (e.g., failure to find work caused by being programmed to fail by their father)
e. NOTE: It is estimated by physicians that up to 80% of people’s physical problems have a psychosomatic root (e.g., ulcer caused by self-induced stress).

B. It could be caused by supernatural factors
1. Afflicting demons (e.g., bad dreams, sudden depression)

2. Controlling demons (e.g., chronic sickness, compulsive behavior)

3. Curses
a. Magic
b. Bloodline conditions visiting the 3rd and 4th generation
c. Pronouncements from authority figures (e.g., doctor’s diagnosis, parent’s opinions, etc.)

C. It could be caused by a combination of any of the above.

D. Diagnosing demons
1. Our general rule of thumb is not to cast anything out that isn’t talking to us or obviously manifesting. In our experience they usually use the person’s vocal cords but with a definite personality switch. We have heard of them speaking with different voices altogether. They will use loud, frontal behavior, vile language, speak in tongues, quote scripture, try to intimidate, etc. Don’t dialogue with them except to find out their function to help in leading the person in repentance.

2. Sometimes they won’t talk but will avoid eye contact by the eyes rolling back so all you see is white. Ask the person to look at you. If they can’t, it’s probably a demon trying to avoid confrontation with authority.

3. We have also seen the demons cause contortions in the body posture, bending it this way and that. We’ve heard them make animal noises, animal movements, and have smelled foul smells coming off the person.

4. With spirits whose assignment is to afflict in some way, the Lord will often give the gift of discernment and allow us to see them. We have seen faces, dark patches, and forms on people.

5. We do not want anything being dealt with as a spirit unless the manifestation or discernment is at this level. Suspecting there may be a demon isn’t enough to go on. Never go digging around.

3. STEP THREE: PRAYER SELECTION (“What kind of prayer do I pray?”)
A. Prayer directed toward God
1. Petition
a. Pray the Lord’s prayer. This is what it’s for!
b. Invite the Spirit to bring the ministry of Jesus
c. Ask for healing

2. Intercession
a. Pray for the person
b. Pray in the Spirit (i.e., pray in tongues if you have the gift)

B. Prayer from God
1. Command of faith

2. Pronouncement of faith

3. To devil/demons
a. Rebuke (“Silence !”)
b. Bind (“I break your power!”)
c. Expulse (“Out, in Jesus’ name!”)

4. STEP FOUR: PRAYER ENGAGEMENT (“How are you doing?”)
A. Pray your selected prayer(s). Pray with your eyes open. Look for indications of the Spirit’s presence. Ask the person if anything is happening. Take note of what’s happening in you.

B. Observed phenomena on the person being prayed for
1. Hot flashes in certain parts of the body

2. Tingling sensations

3. Tenderness and tears

4. Brokenness and sobs

5. Stiffness in certain parts of the body

6. Trembling and shaking

7. Falling down under the power of the Spirit

8. Being in a trance

9. Electrical current

10. Light-headed

11. Tired, weary

12. Radiance on the face

13. Ripples or movement on or under the skin

14. Laughter and joy

15. Deep peace

16. Heavy breathing

17. Moaning and groaning

C. Observed phenomena on the person(s) praying
1. Sensations of warmth, especially in the hands

2. Tingling, especially in the hands

3. Slight trembling of the hands

4. A sense of anointing, power

5. Quiet, objective knowing

6. An explosion of power/electricity coming out of your hands

7. A quiet sense of the Spirit’s presence

8. A sense of detachment as if you were a third party watching

9. Sometimes NOTHING AT ALL. This is where we operate out of who we are in Christ and the authority he gave us to forgive sins, heal the sick and expulse demons.

D. If you sense the Spirit’s presence, give Him the “Amen!” “Thank you, Lord, for being here!” “More Lord!”

E. When in doubt, ask questions
1. Some people are programmed to fail. You may have to do counseling here before you pray again (then or later).

2. Some people are so out of touch with their own bodies you might have to probe a bit.

F. If nothing happens, ask the Lord if you should try again.

G. Demons
1. Sometimes they resist talking, cooperating, or coming out.

2. Call the person back to consciousness and have them repent of any sin that relates to the demon or what you are getting from a word of knowledge. In our experience, the demon’s reluctance to come out is related to their right to be there. Often, when the root is taken care of, they just leave.

3. Sometimes when they come out, it can be messy (shrieking, coughing, writhing, throwing up etc.).

4. NOTE: Just because there is noise and mess does not mean there is a demon. Often when there is a loud release, it is the escape of bottled emotional pain.

H. When do you stop?
1. When they get healed!

2. When nothing seems to be happening.

3. When the Spirit tells you to.

4. When you, the team, or the person gets tired.

5. STEP FIVE: POST-PRAYER DIRECTION
A. Help the person process what just happened.

B. Share any encouragement, exhortation, or council the Spirit may have given you.

C. Direct them to follow through on repentance for any sin that the Spirit brought to light during ministry time (e.g., restitution with a family member).

D. If healing has not occurred or is incomplete, affirm and encourage them to keep seeking because God wants to heal.

E. Avoid the following problems
1. Don’t give personal advice.

2. Don’t condemn a person for not getting saved or healed