Introduction: Healing Begins with Listening

Every person who comes for prayer carries both a story and a symptom. Most people think healing ministry begins with a miracle prayer, but Jesus teaches us that it begins with something far simpler and far more profound:

Listening.

Before Jesus healed, He often asked questions:

• “What do you want Me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51)

• “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:6)

• “How long has he been like this?” (Mark 9:21)

Jesus never rushed past the person to get to the miracle. He stopped, listened, asked, felt compassion, and then ministered.

The first stage of the Five-Stage Healing Model—the Interview—is not a medical exam, nor is it an interrogation. It is a sacred moment where the Holy Spirit reveals the real story behind the pain. The interview helps us understand where it hurts, but even more, why it hurts, so we can pray with clarity and compassion.

Why the Interview Matters (And Why Many Skip It)

Most ministry mistakes happen because people skip this step entirely. They rush into prayer without clarity. They pray at the problem instead of ministering to the person. They guess instead of discerning.

The result?

• ineffective prayers

• missed root issues

• discouragement

• emotional or spiritual harm

• frustration in both parties

The interview helps us slow down and let God lead. Without it, we might pray for the wrong thing, in the wrong way, with the wrong understanding.

Pull Quote

“Healing begins not with power, but with presence. Listening opens the door for the Holy Spirit to speak.”

The Biblical Pattern: Jesus Asked Before He Acted

1. Bartimaeus — Mark 10:46–52

Jesus could clearly see Bartimaeus was blind. Yet He still asked:

“What do you want Me to do for you?”

Why?

Because Jesus cared more about the relationship than the result. He invited Bartimaeus to express faith, desire, and clarity.

2. The Boy with the Demon — Mark 9:14–29

Before delivering the boy, Jesus asked his father:

“How long has he been like this?”

This question was not curiosity — it was compassion. It created space for the deeper issue: the father’s unbelief and despair.

3. The Woman at the Well — John 4

Jesus asked questions that uncovered spiritual wounds, relational patterns, and shame. By interviewing her with grace-filled questions, He brought her into healing and transformation.

The Purpose of the Interview: Two Realms, One Conversation

When we interview someone, we are listening on two levels:

1. The Natural Realm — The Facts

We gather basic information:

• Where does it hurt?

• How long has it hurt?

• What happened?

• Has it been diagnosed?

• What have doctors said?

This is not a medical interview. We are not gathering details to analyze. We are gathering just enough information to pray effectively.

2. The Supernatural Realm — The Root

While they speak, the Holy Spirit may reveal:

• words of knowledge

• emotional wounds

• unforgiveness

• trauma

• demonic affliction

• generational cycles

• lies they believe

• places the enemy has attacked

The interview is both listening and discerning.

Pull Quote

“The body reveals the symptoms. The Holy Spirit reveals the story.”

How to Conduct the Interview (Step-by-Step)

Step 1 — Ask Simple, Clear Questions

Start light:

• “Where does it hurt?”

• “How long have you had this problem?”

• “Did something cause it?”

• “Has it improved or gotten worse?”

• “What do you feel the root might be?”

These questions show interest, build trust, and open the door for spiritual insight.

Step 2 — Keep It Brief

Some people are talkers. Some will drift into unrelated stories. Some will revisit every wound from childhood.

Your role is to lovingly keep the conversation focused.

“That’s helpful—let me pause you there so we can pray effectively.”

You are not counseling — you are preparing to minister.

Step 3 — Listen With Your Ears and Your Spirit

As they speak, notice:

• repeated themes

• emotional reactions

• unhealed trauma

• fear, shame, or guilt

• unforgiveness

• spiritual resistance

• unusual patterns (injuries happening repeatedly)

And also pay attention to:

• impressions

• scriptures that come to mind

• images

• sudden compassion

• physical sensations (heat, heaviness, pressure)

The Holy Spirit often speaks quietly but clearly.

Step 4 — Watch Their Body Language

Are they:

• tense?

• guarded?

• ashamed?

• fidgeting?

• emotional?

• calm?

These cues help shape how you pray.

Step 5 — Know When to Transition

You transition to the next stage when:

1. You understand the problem (natural or supernatural).

2. You sense what God wants to do.

3. The person feels heard, known, and cared for.

If you don’t have clarity?

Pray for effect.
God will reveal more as you pray.

What the Interview Is NOT

1. A Medical Examination

You’re not a doctor.

2. A Counseling Session

Stay on track.

3. A Time to Preach

Don’t correct, criticize, or give long teachings.

4. A Performance Evaluation

Healing is God’s work, not yours.

5. A Place for Assumptions

Never assume. Always ask.

Biblical Illustration: Naaman and the Need for Clarity (2 Kings 5)

Naaman arrives expecting a dramatic healing. Instead, Elisha sends a message:

“Go wash in the Jordan seven times.”

But before that moment, Naaman had expressed pride, unbelief, and resistance — all discovered through conversation.

If Elisha had prayed without addressing the internal issues, Naaman may not have received healing. The interview helps uncover barriers:

• pride

• unbelief

• offense

• wrong expectations

• hidden sin

• spiritual oppression

Healing is not just physical. It is emotional, relational, and spiritual.

Why This Step Builds Faith

When people feel heard, they feel seen. When they feel seen, their hearts open. When their hearts open, faith rises.

Jesus listened people into healing.

The interview reminds them that they matter to God.

Practical Tips for Effective Interviews

1. Stay Relaxed. Healing is not a test.

When you’re relaxed, they relax. And the Holy Spirit moves more freely.

2. Pray as You Listen (Silently)

“Holy Spirit, show me what You’re doing.”
He will.

3. Don’t force spiritual insight

Sometimes God speaks immediately.
Sometimes He speaks during prayer.
Sometimes He speaks after.

4. Don’t over-spiritualize

Not every headache is a demon.
Not every sickness is sin-related.
Sometimes people just need healing.

Pull Quote

“The interview isn’t about uncovering faults — it’s about uncovering the Father’s heart.”

Transformation Through Listening — A Real-Life Example

Imagine someone comes for prayer for back pain. You ask:

“How did it start?”

“I don’t know… maybe stress.”

“When did the stress begin?”

“My son hasn’t spoken to me in three years.”

Suddenly, the real issue surfaces—not the back, but a broken heart.

The interview didn’t just find a symptom.
It revealed a story.
It uncovered a wound.
It set the stage for deep healing.

This is why the interview matters.

Summary

The first stage of healing ministry — the Interview — is not optional. It is essential. Through Spirit-led questions, compassionate listening, and supernatural discernment, we uncover the true needs behind the physical symptoms.

Key Points

• Healing begins with listening, not prayers.

• Jesus used questions to build faith and reveal root issues.

• The interview gathers natural facts and spiritual insight.

• Keep it brief, focused, and Spirit-led.

• When you listen well, people open their hearts to receive.

Engaging Question

When you pray for others, do you find yourself rushing to pray — or pausing to listen first? How might slowing down change the way you minister?