Introduction: Before You Pray—Listen

Every powerful healing moment in the Gospels begins with one thing: Jesus listened.
He listened to stories.
He listened to hearts.
He listened to the Father.

The very first step in the Five-Stage Ministry Model is The Interview, the sacred art of listening with both natural and spiritual ears. While it may seem like a simple step, it is one of the most crucial. Without it, believers often pray vague, unfocused, or ineffective prayers.

Why Interviewing Matters

The interview is not about collecting medical data—it is about compassion, clarity, and discernment. Jesus never rushed past a person’s story. He dignified them by asking, “What do you want Me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51).

The interview:

• Builds trust

• Reveals the real issue

• Opens the door for discernment

• Partners the believer with the Spirit

Pull Quote

“Listening is the first act of love in healing ministry.”

When we listen well, people encounter Jesus—not just His power, but His heart.

What the Interview IS and IS NOT

The Interview IS:

• Brief

• Respectful

• Spirit-led

• Focused on clarity

• A way to gather helpful information

The Interview is NOT:

• A counseling session

• A medical examination

• A place for emotional dumping

• A moment for the minister to show off knowledge

You never want the interview to become so long that it drains faith or overwhelms the person.

Basic Interview Questions

These simple questions unlock powerful ministry:

1. Where does it hurt?

2. How long has it been hurting?

3. Has a doctor diagnosed it?

4. What do you believe is happening?

5. Did something trigger it?

These questions are not merely data gathering—they are part of discerning the story beneath the pain.

Diagnosing on Two Planes

During the interview, you listen on two levels:

1. The Natural Level

This includes:

• Physical injuries

• Medical diagnoses

• Life circumstances

• Emotional pain

• Stress or trauma

• Relational conflict

Natural information helps you pray intelligently.

2. The Supernatural Level

This includes:

• Words of knowledge

• Discernment of spirits

• Detecting emotional wounds

• Recognizing generational patterns

• Hearing God’s voice

This information helps you pray accurately.

Pull Quote

“Ministry is a partnership: You gather the facts, the Holy Spirit gives the truth.”

Keeping the Interview on Track

Many people love to talk, especially when they’re in pain. But healing ministry requires maintaining focus.

To keep control of the interview:

• Gently interrupt if needed

• Ask specific questions

• Redirect emotional spirals

• Keep the conversation brief

• Maintain compassion

Jesus demonstrated this beautifully with the woman at the well—He let her speak, but He guided the conversation toward truth and healing.

Biblical Illustration: Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46–52)

Jesus encounters a blind man shouting for mercy. Instead of assuming, Jesus asks:

“What do you want Me to do for you?”

It may seem obvious—but Jesus wanted Bartimaeus to:

• Acknowledge his need

• Voice his desire

• Participate in faith

The interview positioned Bartimaeus to receive his sight.

When the Interview is Complete

You know the interview is done when:

1. You understand the condition.

2. You sense the root cause.

3. The Holy Spirit shows you what to do next.

If neither the natural nor supernatural diagnosis is clear, you simply pray for God’s effect—His peace, healing, and presence.

Why This Step Is So Crucial

Without the interview:

• You might pray the wrong prayer.

• You might miss a deeper issue.

• You might misdiagnose.

• You might overwhelm or confuse the person.

With the interview:

• Faith increases

• Trust forms

• Accuracy improves

• Holy Spirit partnership strengthens

The interview is a doorway to Spirit-led ministry.

Summary

The Interview is the first step in healing ministry because it mirrors Jesus’ heart to listen, love, and discern. By gathering both natural and supernatural information, the minister is equipped to pray accurately, compassionately, and with faith.

Key Points

• Healing ministry begins with listening, not speaking.

• Interviews gather natural facts and open the door for supernatural discernment.

• Jesus modeled brief, focused interviews that led to powerful encounters.

Engaging Question

When you minister to others, do you tend to jump straight into prayer, or do you pause to listen first? How might this step transform your effectiveness?