Inner healing prayer (IHP) warrants greater practical theological attention. The practice of
IHP, most significantly developed by Agnes Sanford, has been described by many of those
individuals and ministries that have seen God transform lives through it. This study
focuses especially on the models developed by John and Paula Sandford, Leanne Payne,
and Ed Smith as representative of IHP.
Social constructionism, particularly as it has drawn attention to the significance of
narrative, provides a fresh perspective with which to interpret what is taking place in IHP.
A theology centred on Jesus' proclamation and demonstration of the in-breaking reign of
God combines with social constructionism to suggest that a personal Creator God, who has
a privileged perspective on reality, actively joins in the social processes by which we
construct our understandings of reality.
Interpreting IHP from this social constructionist perspective, this study proposes that IHP
can be described as a practice in which God is invited and expected to experientially enter
into the social processes by which people construct their reality. Traumatic or hurtful
events have often created apparent realities that persons are unable to integrate into the
central stories that identify their lives. IHP facilitates an encounter in which God•s loving,
forgiving presence is experienced in the midst of such hurtful events allowing a new, more
integrated and hopeful, construction of reality. The faith, hope and love of those leading in
IHP and the symbolic, metaphorical language contribute to the ability of IHP to affect
change at an emotional level, but the central role of the imagination, especially in
visualising Jesus' presence, is the most unique and characteristic aspect. This interpretation
provides a viewpoint to critique the practice of IHP and suggests some ways that an
understanding of God's kingdom might further enhance its practice.
A small~scale qualitative interview project offers the opportunity to assess whether this
social constructionist interpretation corresponds to the way in which participants in IHP make sense of their experience. It is hoped that the constructionist perspective offered here
provides a language that can broaden an understanding of IHP, enhancing dialogue and
further research. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D.Th. (Practical Theology)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/837 |
| Date | 08 1900 |
| Creators | Thiessen, Walter James |
| Contributors | De Jongh van Arkel, Jan. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (vii, 227 leaves.) |
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