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Thank you for being willing to pray for these precious people who have experienced loss! Note: If they have practical needs directly related to this fires, direct them to the link at the top of epicentre.org/firerelief. Let Christy Johnson or Fiona Tong know if they need followup and/or a pastoral visitation is required.
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***“*But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.” 1 Corinthians 14:3 - We are called to strengthen, encourage, and comfort those in distress.
🌿1. Give from a place of abundance
Make sure that you spend quality time with the Lord before you serve. Take time to rest and rejuvenate. You cannot run on empty.
- Note: you are NOT their therapist – but you will be using your therapeutic skills to listen and provide a sense of God’s love and comfort to them.
❤️2. Have a posture of warmth, respect, kindness, and gentleness.
- Adjust your speech rate and volume to be in tune with them (ie, speak more slowly and softly – but loud enough to be heard).
- Listen to what’s on their hearts – and simultaneously, listen to what God wants to say through you to them. Provide comfort through the words that you share with them and your facial expressions.
- Listen non-judgmentally and with compassion. Use active listening skills (nodding & making statements that you are tracking with them).
🫂3. Be mindful of how they’re affected by loss, & you aren’t responsible to fix it
- You don’t know what other losses they have experienced before and how those losses – and their worldview – shape how they are making sense of their current situation.
- You are not responsible to fix their situation. You are a source of comfort to them just by listening and being present in their pain.
- Hearing their stories may stir up your own personal losses. Take a moment to acknowledge that to yourself while they are speaking but make yourself present to them in this moment.
Questions you can ask them
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🚫Avoid the following:
- Giving unsolicited advice. “You should just…”