New Job a real test for me...

[Fiona82]

I started a new job this week on a psychiatric ward.

I can't go into much detail (patient/nurse confidentiality!) but one young patient has been really troubling me.

Do you think it's okay to pray for someone when you don't know them well and when you don't know their entire situation? Do you even believe some mental problems are brought about because of spritual issues?

THIS POST HAS BEEN EDITED FOR REASONS DISCUSSED ON PAGE 2. THANKS.

 

[MMorley]

It is within my understanding that spiritual claims come in many guises. God is in power to break any spiritual claims, but also to guide psychological healing much faster than we humans ever will. That you do not know the person is not important.

Remember the time that Jesus gave His disciples the power to heal and cast out demons in the name of God? I am pretty sure the disciples did not know the people they were helping to a great extend, but they recognized the signs and knew that God is almighty. (Matthew 10:7-8 and Mark 6:7)

Pray! Medical staff should pray far more and Christians should pray even more for medical staff!

 

[dead2self]

Yes, absolutely pray for him.

And yes, I believe that not only some but most mental disorders are spiritual in cause.

 

[bsd13]

I started a new job this week, as an assistant nurse on a psychiatric ward.

I can't go into much detail (patient/nurse confidentiality!) but one young patient has been really troubling me and I wonder if his problem is a spritual one rather than a psychaitric one....

Do you think it's okay to pray for someone when you don't know them well and when you don't know their entire situation? Do you even believe some mental problems are brought about because of spritual issues?

The things this young person has done is so troubling - really unsettling, and there is lots of references to satan etc.

It is always ok to pray for others.

 

[Kattylove]

Do you think it's okay to pray for someone when you don't know them well and when you don't know their entire situation?

Yes, because a prayer is a conversation with God, who knows everyone and understands their situations perfectly. You should definitely pray for this person.

 

[Johnnz]

Just be careful that you don't breach any rules. And, don't assume satanic control,although there will be dark influences. There is usually a complex interaction within psychiatrically disturbed people.

John
NZ

 

[LilLamb219]

You can pray for anyone at any time...you don't have to do it out loud or make any spectacle at all. Pray that God protects the patients there and that healing begins

 

[ForHisGlory2008]

You most definitely should not post this here. This is the sort of thing you should have a supervisor to discuss things with. If you don't have one that satisfies the spiritual feedback you need, you need to find one. A post like this does carry a risk of identification of the individual involved. This is a very public board. On another board I post on, someone has just been dismissed for a much lesser comment about their work.

To answer your question, you can pray any time. Do you have chaplains that can visit this patient? It can be hard to differentiate between mental illness and spirtual manifestations sometimes.

 

[Rage4Christ]

It is not your place to diagnose disorders.

You have a duty to treat all your patients as directed by the ordering physician. You will only cause yourself consternation if you try to pick out the spiritually challenged from those who have brain chemical and neurological issues.

Stick to the medicine and the science while at work.

Show Christ's love in your actions and your service, but don't cross the line-- don't even let on about prayer or spiritual assistance unless the doctor specifically says it is ok.

You will see many, many cases were psychological problems are intertwined with religious experience. If this is a new job for you, you must prepare yourself to stick to the psychology and medical treatment only. Make this choice early in your career. If you can't make the distinction, then maybe find a different job.

Otherwise you'll be sorely tempted to "spiritually counsel" your patients, and that is unethical without the proper medical training.

 

[heron]

Heavenly Father, we lift up this person to you who is troubled by so many things. You have watched them as they went through life with various struggles, and adapted to stressful situations. You watched them being formed in the womb, when any disabilities formed, and hindrances to normal functioning.

You have brought Fiona across their path -- someone who can pray behind the scenes, serve with a strong work ethic, show patience, and maintain accuracy in medical care that can help the client improve. Work through Fiona, and also work within this person who is struggling.

Meet them personally, knit together the pieces of this client's life that need repair and healing. Make them whole. Show them the power of Your love, and deliver them from anything that slows down their life. May they become a blessing to others.

 

[Blien]

Pray for him. I always pray for strangers. If I see someone crying on the streets I pray.. I believe a lot of the people in places like yours are suffering spiritual problems not physical..

 

[Fiona82]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I have edited my post because of the comment someone made saying I shouldn't post this here - although I never gave away ANY details about the patient which breached confidentiality.

 

[heron]

It's also a protection for you -- if a supervisor every ran across the post (what are the odds!) they could think that this is one post of many, even though you were cautious. It's something you needed to talk about with someone, and it might have not been proper to talk about it at work.

 

[ForHisGlory2008]

The person I know of who got fired for a much lesser disclosure was dismissed after a fellow poster emailed the link to her employer! There are mean people out there.

Maybe you could discuss such matters generically with your pastor or look to find a Christian supervisor (usually these are external to work).

I've got a couple of work scenarios I'd find interesting to hear people's views on but can't discuss them so tough cookies for me. LOL

 

[heron]

a fellow poster emailed the link to her employer!

Ick!

 

[Forealzchola]

Yes to both of your questions...as you feel led pray for others that you do and do not know..sometimes us having prayed and interceded for others keeps God's hand, grace and favor in their lives...and yes to your other questions as well some mental illness and even physical ailments are demoniacally inspired..but this has to be discerned...It is not God's will for anyone to be sick in mind, body or spirit. There is healing available and deliverance for demonic and nondemonic inspired conditions however one has to seek God for that deliverance...as you work in this facility pray that God's will and power be shown in these patients lives..that some will come to the Lord and be set free of whatever it is that they are going through. God bless