Prayer Room Process
A step-by-step guide for conducting an inner healing and deliverance prayer session — from preparation to aftercare.
Adapted from the Prayer Room Training Manual by Ken Schaap, Go Find Jesus Ministries.
Preparing for an Inner Healing SessionWhat is a Prayer Room?
A prayer room is a team-led prayer session where a group of typically 3 individuals work together with a client to be assured of their salvation, filled with the Holy Spirit, and free from any accusers or attachments that could hinder their walk with the Lord.
"Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. ...Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results."— James 5:13–16 (NLT)
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed."— Isaiah 61:1 (NLT)
The Premise
One reason Jesus came to earth was to heal the brokenhearted. His death on the cross purchased His right to do this.
The Goal
To help the client hear the voice of God and give them tools to continue hearing His voice. This is why we call them Prayer Rooms.
The Power
In the Gospel
The troubles of life cause believers to believe lies contrary to the Gospel. These lies become thought processes, then behavioral patterns. The Gospel has the power to tear down these strongholds.
In Team
Two or more gather around the recipient — interviewing, declaring truth, and praying. Additional intercessors pray from other locations during the session.
In Prayer
One of the most powerful prayer meetings you'll ever attend will be the one you receive in a prayer room. You will experience the presence and love of Jesus.
Before the Session
Assemble Your Team
Gather 3 trusted people: a 1st Chair (leader), a 2nd Chair (prophetic support), and a 3rd Chair (intercessor). The best 2nd Chair complements the 1st — if the 1st is gifted in deliverance, the 2nd should serve prophetically, or vice versa. Additional team members may intercede from other locations during the session.
Pre-Interview with the Client
Communicate your identity and purpose with clarity. For example:
"We are a pastoral ministry built on following God's Word. We do not offer medical advice or serve in place of counseling or therapy."
The interview questions serve a dual purpose: they provide information for prayer and preparation, and they help the client know what topics will be discussed so they can begin thinking about them.
Preparation: Fasting & Prayer
- •Pray for the client using a prophetic model — ask the Lord for dreams or words about the client and the upcoming session.
- •Consider fasting in preparation.
- •Prepare the prayer room environment — quiet, private, water available, tissues ready, no distractions.
The Three Chairs
Each role is equally important. Ministry is never a solo assignment.
1st Chair — The Leader
- •Leads the interview time and directs the entire session.
- •Keeps the session on track — the client doesn't know where you're going and will wander. Gently but firmly lead.
- •Watch for the enemy's subtle attack: a spirit of distraction and control that keeps the team off balance.
- •Does not need to offer every prayer or lead every exercise — may appoint others to do them.
- •Follows the lead of the Holy Spirit and trusts the process.
- •Keeps the session within ~2 hours — attention spans and emotional wells are only so deep.
2nd Chair — The Prophet
- •Complements the 1st Chair — if the 1st is gifted in deliverance, the 2nd should serve in a prophetic role, or vice versa.
- •Familiar with the process and prepared to offer concise thoughts from the Lord in each part.
- •Can text or quietly communicate what they are feeling or seeing from the Spirit to the 1st Chair.
- •Often the 1st Chair is so focused on leading that they cannot sense what the enemy or Lord is doing prophetically — the 2nd Chair fills this gap.
- •Invaluable in helping the team stay spiritually aware.
3rd Chair — The Intercessor
- •Observes and intercedes throughout the session.
- •Watches for tangible needs — does someone need water or a break? Make the suggestion.
- •Handles distractions in the building or room so the team can stay focused.
- •Prays: intercessory prayer for wisdom for the team, authoritative prayers against enemy activity, and Scripture promises over the session.
- •Prays in the Spirit throughout the entire session.
- •Only speaks at the beginning (to introduce themselves and share what the Lord laid on their heart) and at the end (prophetic words and prayer over the client).
- •Can serve as a training position for new trainees to observe and pray.
The 10-Step Process
Follow this sequence from start to finish. Each step builds on the last.
Ears Open — Listening Time
Purpose
Begin by listening to what God is saying about the client.
Navigating to This Step
Open the session by welcoming the client and having each team member introduce themselves. The 3rd Chair shares anything the Lord laid on their heart in preparation. Then transition into listening prayer.
Say to the Client
"Before we begin, we want to listen to what God is saying about you. We're going to spend a few minutes in quiet prayer, and then we'll share anything the Lord puts on our hearts."
Instructions
- 1Before diving into the interview, spend time in quiet listening prayer as a team.
- 2Ask the Lord: "What are You saying about this person right now?"
- 3The 2nd Chair may receive impressions, Scriptures, or pictures — note these quietly.
- 4Tally the number of times the client says they have heard God speak throughout the session — this becomes a benchmark to celebrate. Each time the client says something like "I felt the Lord say…", "God showed me a picture of…", "I heard Him speak to me…", or "He brought this Scripture to mind", make one mark. The measuring stick is the client's own verbal testimony — you count what they report hearing, not what the team discerns on their behalf. At the end of the session, share the count back to them ("You heard God speak seven times tonight") and celebrate it as tangible proof that He does speak to them personally.
- 5Share briefly what the Lord reveals, but keep the focus on creating a safe, welcoming atmosphere.
Key Point: The goal of the entire prayer room is to help the client hear the voice of God. This step sets the tone.
Navigate the Toxic Trees
Purpose
Walk the client through the common areas that traumatize the heart, using their salvation testimony as the on-ramp.
Navigating to This Step
Move from listening to the interview. The 1st Chair takes the lead here — do not let the client wander. Begin with the salvation testimony as the on-ramp, then gently guide through each Toxic Tree.
Say to the Client
"Thank you for sitting with us. We believe God is already at work. We'd love to start by hearing your story — how did you come to know Jesus?"
Instructions
- 1Begin by having the client share their salvation testimony — this grounds the session in the Gospel and assures them of their identity in Christ.
- 2Then gently navigate through each "Toxic Tree" category below. You do not need to force every category — follow the Spirit's lead.
The Toxic Trees
Generational Sin
Patterns, sins, or curses passed down through family lines. Ask about family history and recurring struggles.
Sexual Sin & Sources of Shame
Sexual sin, abuse, pornography, or any source of deep shame. Note any demon names the Lord reveals along with the permission (entry point) that granted them access.
Witchcraft
Involvement in the occult, false religious practices, horoscopes, Ouija boards, or any form of witchcraft — even if "innocent" or in the past.
Religion
Legalism, performance-based acceptance, or religious spirits that distort the client's view of God's love and grace.
Inner Vows
Vows or declarations made in moments of pain (e.g., "I'll never trust anyone again," "I'll never be like my father"). These bind the heart.
Trauma
Optional: Pull trauma files — specific memories or events the Lord highlights. Only go where the Spirit leads; do not force this.
Fear / Anger
Rooted fears and unresolved anger. These often connect to the other trees.
Bitterness
Unforgiveness toward others. If bitterness surfaces here, proceed to Step 3 (Crossview) and then Step 5 (Forgiveness).
Key Point: The 1st Chair leads this interview. Do not let the client wander — gently but firmly guide them through each area. Note demon names and the permissions (entry points) that granted access, as these will be addressed in Step 6.
Crossview
Purpose
Bring the client to the cross — what do they see when they look at Jesus?
Navigating to This Step
Transition from the Toxic Trees interview to the cross. This shifts the focus from the client's story to their perception of Jesus. Keep it gentle — they've just shared heavy things.
Say to the Client
"We've talked about a lot of heavy things. Now I want you to picture the cross. What do you see when you look at Jesus?"
Instructions
- 1Ask the client to picture the cross and describe what they see.
- 2Listen for lies: "I see Jesus, but He's far away," "I see Him but He's not looking at me," "I can't get to Him."
- 3These reveal what the client believes about God's nearness, love, and acceptance.
- 4Speak truth over the lies. Remind them of the Gospel: Jesus purchased their healing. His death gave Him the right to heal the brokenhearted.
- 5Declare: "Jesus is near. He is looking at you. He is not ashamed of you. He paid for this."
Key Point: Crossview exposes the lies that block healing. The Gospel has the power to tear down these strongholds.
Open Confession — Bring the Boxes to Jesus
Purpose
Lead the client to confess and surrender specific sins, agreements, and hidden things.
Navigating to This Step
Move from Crossview to confession. Now that the client has seen Jesus at the cross, invite them to bring what they've been carrying to Him. This is where you introduce the "boxes" picture.
Say to the Client
"Now that we've seen what Jesus did on the cross, we want to bring those things we've been carrying to Him."
Throughout the session, the client has been naming the things they've carried — sins, agreements with lies, inner vows, hidden shame. Think of these as "boxes" they have been lugging through life, often for years. This step is where they set those boxes down at the feet of Jesus.
Instructions
- 1Introduce the "boxes" picture to the client. Say something like: "Think of the things you've been carrying — the sins, the secrets, the agreements you made with lies, the vows you spoke in pain. Each one is like a box you've been lugging around. Some you packed years ago and never opened again. Today, we're going to set them down at the feet of Jesus."
- 2Help the client visualize: ask them to picture themselves holding those boxes, or simply to name what they've been carrying. You can use a literal gesture — have them hold out their hands as if carrying something, then set it down as they confess.
- 3Work through the boxes one at a time, using what surfaced in the Toxic Trees (Step 2). Name the box: "The box of unforgiveness toward your father," "The box of the inner vow never to trust again," "The box of sexual sin," etc.
- 4For each box, invite the client to open it before Jesus — to name what's inside, out loud. Confession is not about shame; it is about agreement with truth and breaking agreements with lies.
- 5Have the client speak specific confessions aloud: "I agreed with the lie that…", "I participated in…", "I made an inner vow to…".
- 6After each confession, lead them to renounce the agreement: "I renounce that lie. I break that agreement. I turn from it." Then have them physically or prayerfully "set the box down" — releasing it to Jesus.
- 7If bitterness or unforgiveness surfaces, proceed to Step 5.
Key Point: James 5:16 — "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed." Confession is the biblical pathway to healing.
Unwrap Forgiveness
Purpose
Lead the client through a structured prayer of forgiveness toward those who have hurt them.
Navigating to This Step
If bitterness or unforgiveness surfaced during the Toxic Trees or Confession, transition into this step. If no bitterness surfaced, you may skip this step and move to Step 6. The manual notes: after forgiveness, you may loop back to Step 3 (Crossview) if bitterness was the entry point.
Say to the Client
"The Lord brought some names to the surface. Let's take a moment to release those people to Jesus."
Instructions
- 1Have the client name the person and the specific ways they were hurt.
- 2Lead them through this prayer, filling in the blanks aloud:
The Forgiveness Prayer
"I forgive ___ for the ways they hurt me, including ___. I take all the pain and anger they caused me and give it to You, Jesus. I remove any judgment I placed on them. I release my right to get even with them, and I ask You to bless them."
After the Prayer
- •Repeat this prayer for each person the Lord brings to mind.
- •Do not rush. Some names will be hard. Give the client time.
- •If the client is not ready to forgive, do not force it — pray for them and return to it when the Spirit leads.
- •After forgiveness, you may proceed back to Step 3 (Crossview) if bitterness was the entry point, or move forward.
Key Point: Unforgiveness is one of the most common footholds the enemy uses. Forgiveness does not excuse the offense — it releases the debt to Jesus.
Neutralize the Enemy
Purpose
Address and remove any demonic attachments identified during the Toxic Trees step.
Navigating to This Step
Move from forgiveness to deliverance. The permissions (entry points) have been revoked through confession and forgiveness — now address what came through those doors. Use the notes from Step 2 (demon names and permissions).
Say to the Client
"We've dealt with the permissions — the agreements and doors that were opened. Now, in the authority of Jesus, we're going to address anything that gained access through those doors."
Instructions
- 1Using the notes from Step 2, address each demon name and the permission (entry point) that granted it access.
- 2First, lead the client to revoke the permission: "I renounce ___. I cancel the agreement that gave you access. I close that door."
- 3Then, in the authority of Jesus, command the enemy to leave: "In the name of Jesus Christ, I command you to leave. You have no right here. This person belongs to Jesus."
- 4The 1st Chair typically leads this, but may appoint the 2nd Chair if they are gifted in deliverance.
- 5Do not chase manifestations. Freedom is the goal, not spectacle. Remain calm and authoritative.
- 6After each removal, pray for the Holy Spirit to fill the vacated place.
Key Point: Authority comes from Christ alone. "He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame." — Colossians 2:15
Transform Their Timeline
Purpose
Invite Jesus into the client's timeline — past, present, and future — to bring healing to pivotal moments.
Navigating to This Step
Move from deliverance to inner healing. The enemy has been addressed — now invite Jesus into the client's story. This is a gentle, visual exercise. Trust the Holy Spirit to reveal and heal.
Say to the Client
"Now let's invite Jesus into your story. Picture your life as a timeline — from your earliest memory to today. We're going to ask Jesus to walk along that timeline with you."
Instructions
- 1Ask the client to picture their life as a timeline.
- 2Invite Jesus to walk along that timeline — to enter the painful moments, the lonely moments, the moments of fear or shame.
- 3Ask: "Where is Jesus in that memory? What is He doing?"
- 4Let the client describe what they see. Speak truth over what they see.
- 5If Jesus appears distant or absent in a memory, pray: "Jesus, come into this memory. Show this person where You were."
- 6Trust the process. The Holy Spirit is the one who reveals and heals.
Key Point: Jesus is not bound by time. He can enter past memories and bring present healing. This is the heart of inner healing ministry.
Experience Jesus in Pivotal Memories
Purpose
Go deeper — let Jesus meet the client in the specific memories that shaped their identity.
Navigating to This Step
Go deeper from the timeline into specific memories. Slow down at one of the pivotal moments the Lord highlighted. This is the heart of the Encounters Room — the client hearing Jesus' voice for themselves.
Say to the Client
"Let's slow down at one of those moments. Pick a memory that still hurts — one that shaped how you see yourself. Let's ask Jesus to meet you there."
Instructions
- 1Identify the pivotal memories — the moments that defined how the client sees themselves, God, and others.
- 2These may be moments of trauma, rejection, abandonment, or shame.
- 3Ask Jesus to enter each memory. Ask the client: "What is Jesus saying to you in this moment? What is He doing?"
- 4Let the client hear Jesus' voice. This is the encounter.
- 5If the client struggles to see or hear, pray: "Holy Spirit, open their eyes and ears. Let them see Jesus clearly."
- 6Speak identity over the client based on what Jesus reveals: "Jesus says you are loved. Jesus says you are not what happened to you."
Key Point: This is why we call them Prayer Rooms. The goal is for the client to hear the voice of God for themselves.
Reveal the Secret Place
Purpose
Help the client discover and enter their "secret place" — the inner room of prayer and communion with God.
Navigating to This Step
Move from the memories to the secret place. This gives the client a tool to continue hearing God's voice after the session. Keep it quiet and contemplative.
Say to the Client
"Jesus said when we pray, we should go into our room and shut the door. Let's spend a few moments in that secret place with Him — the place where you meet with Jesus, just you and Him."
Instructions
- 1Jesus said, "When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret." — Matthew 6:6
- 2Guide the client to visualize or sense a secret place with Jesus — a room, a garden, a mountaintop — wherever they meet Him.
- 3Ask: "What does your secret place look like? What is Jesus doing there?"
- 4Let them spend a few moments in quiet communion.
- 5Affirm that this place is always available to them. They can return to it anytime, anywhere.
- 6This gives the client a tool and process to continue hearing His voice after the session.
Key Point: The goal of the prayer room is not just a one-time experience — it is to give the client tools to continue hearing God's voice.
Spirit Activation & Blessing Prayer
Purpose
Fill the client with the Holy Spirit and send them out with a blessing.
Navigating to This Step
Close the session with filling and blessing. What was emptied must be filled — Jesus must occupy every place previously surrendered to fear, lies, or darkness. The 3rd Chair now shares prophetic words and prays over the client. Tally the number of times the client heard God speak and celebrate that with them.
Say to the Client
"What was emptied today must be filled. Let's pray for the Holy Spirit to fill every place that's been cleared."
Instructions
- 1Pray for the client to be filled with the Holy Spirit: "Father, fill them with Your Holy Spirit. Fill every place that has been emptied today"
- 2Pray for peace, truth, love, joy, courage, wisdom, and spiritual hunger.
- 3The 3rd Chair may now share prophetic words and pray over the client.
- 4Speak a blessing: "The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace." — Numbers 6:24–26
- 5Remind the client: what was emptied must be filled. Jesus must occupy every place previously surrendered to fear, lies, or darkness.
- 6Celebrate what God has done. Tally the number of times the client heard God speak — and celebrate that number with them.
Key Point: "Be filled with the Spirit." — Ephesians 5:18. We are not merely interested in what leaves; we care deeply about what fills the person afterward.
After the Session
Homework & Aftercare
- Give the client homework — practical steps to continue their healing journey (e.g., journaling, Scripture reading, returning to their secret place). Be specific: assign a daily journaling practice (writing what they sense the Lord saying), a Scripture reading plan, and a set time to return to their secret place — the quiet, alone spot with God where they first learned to hear His voice.
- Remind them: what was emptied must be filled. Deliverance empties the "house" — but an empty house invites return (Matthew 12:43-45). They must intentionally fill their life with Jesus — through daily prayer, Scripture reading, worship, and community. An emptied life left unfilled is vulnerable; a life filled with Christ is guarded.
- Follow up within a few days — ideally within 2-3 days, then again the next week. Call or text and ask two questions: "How are you doing?" and "What has God been speaking to you since the session?" This reinforces that hearing Him is the ongoing goal, not a one-time event.
- Maintain confidentiality. What happened in the room stays in the room — do not share the client's disclosures, prayers, or breakthroughs with anyone, including other leaders, unless the client gives explicit permission. This protects trust and honors the sacredness of what God did.
- Encourage them to continue hearing God's voice — that is the goal of the Prayer Room. Remind them of the tally from the session: "God spoke to you X times in one evening — He will keep speaking." Send them home with the expectation that their secret place is where He will keep meeting them.
Quick Reference
- 1Ears Open — Listening Time~10 min
- 2Navigate the Toxic Trees~30-40 min
- 3Crossview~10 min
- 4Open Confession — Bring the Boxes to Jesus~10-15 min
- 5Unwrap Forgiveness~10-15 min
- 6Neutralize the Enemy~10-15 min
- 7Transform Their Timeline~10 min
- 8Experience Jesus in Pivotal Memories~10-15 min
- 9Reveal the Secret Place~10 min
- 10Spirit Activation & Blessing Prayer~10 min
Total estimated time: ~2 hours