A Model for Prayer
by Shin Asami, Orange Coast FMC, Costa Mesa, CA

I learned a wonderful prayer model, one I use frequently when I pray and intercede for others. Chuck Miller, a team member of a para-church organization called the Leadership Institute, taught this model at a retreat that I attended near Idyllwild last October.

Miller didn't have a name or title for this prayer model, yet he portrayed it as "praying through filters." He described three such filters. The first he called the "Priorities Filter." This pertains to one's relationship with the Lord. How is this person doing in his or her relationship with the Lord? Is he or she endeavoring to lead others to Him? The second was titled the "Total Person Filter." Every person is created to embody the physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual. The third was labeled the "Basic Psychological Needs Filter." The psychological needs for every person are to be secure, to be recognized, to be loved, to engage in new experiences, and to be free from guilt.

What are the dynamics and steps involved in this prayer model? Essentially, when praying for someone, you stop at each filter and think about the elements of the filter in relation to the person you are praying for.

For example, when you're praying for a friend, think about how this person is doing in relation to the "Priorities Filter." How is he or she doing in terms of his or her walk with the Lord? Is he or she having any difficulty abiding with the Lord? When asking ourselves these questions, we might think of a problem this person is having, or the Holy Spirit might place something on our hearts concerning this person. It is at this point that we pray with the insight we have concerning the person.

We then proceed to the second filter and again stop and think about this person in relation to the "Total Person Filter." How is this person doing physically? He or she might be sick. Does he or she have any mental, social or emotional problems? It might be that this person is dealing with social issues. You would then pray for this person, being specific, asking the Lord to come and meet the difficulties that this person is facing. The problem might pertain to a mental issue like depression. You would then pray that the Lord bring restoration.

Finally, think about the last filter, the "Basic Psychological Needs Filter." Is this person feeling insecure at this point in life, perhaps going through a transition where he or she is between jobs? Does this person need to be affirmed or recognized by a spouse or friend? Perhaps he or she is sensing guilt and cannot let go of it.

Praying by Miller's prayer model is thinking about the filters in relation to the person you are praying for. If, while you are thinking about the filters, something comes to your mind, then this is what you lift up in prayer.

Praying by these three filters has blessed my prayer life. I feel like I'm more involved with the person I'm praying for. The Lord has at times shown me specific items to pray for on behalf of those for whom I'm interceding. My hope is that you too would engage in prayer by Miller's model.