AfterWin.com

I once asked a relative of mine what he believed to be the biggest advancement in the treatment of mental illness, and his succinct reply, the invention of the tranquillizer.

Unfortunately, as we have no doubt have come to realize, the tranquillizer is not exactly the cure all. Just look at the terrible side effects of such medication as Prozac.

Sheryl J. Stevens, who has first hand experience in dealing with the mentally ill, or as she prefers to call these individuals “lost souls,” has written a wake up call in her book Operation Soul Recovery (From Default To Purpose).

The author strikes just the right tone: direct and passionate, in pointing out to her audience that the treatment of these lost souls is very low down on the health care totem pole. Furthermore, as the author asserts, we are lacking in sensitivity in our understanding that there is no physical pain comparable to that of a broken spirit.

As pointed out, we would hardly expect someone with a broken leg to run a race. Instead, we would promptly treat the fracture by a qualified medical doctor. Why then is it so difficult to understand the basic requirements needed to treat the mind and spirit? There seems to be a tendency to cop out and either ignore the gravity of the situation or rely solely on medication. Do we really believe, as Stevens asserts, that these illnesses are incurable?

The book is an engrossing and soul searching read that provides a window into the mistreatment of the mentally ill and in particular with society’s obsession in looking for whom to blame, rather than trying to find a solution to the cure. As mentioned, “it is the cure that should be capturing our attention.”

After lambasting the system, Stevens does present several constructive ideas for improving the system in her chapter entitled A Manor Of Eden. It is here where she emphasizes the principle that no human being is a hopeless case, and it is essential that we treat the body, mind and the soul simultaneously, and not giving more importance to one over the other.
Furthermore, the program of treatment is to be divided into a series of steps that considers the whole gamut from dealing in depth with the past, recovering the wisdom and value of the inner-child, developing knowledge of healthy living and formal education, job training, and job placement.

There is a great deal here to ponder about, and as Stevens mentioned in her interview with me, the book definitely presents ideas and suggestions that are outside of the box. However, the question that remains is, who will be listening?

Title: Operation Soul Recovery (From Default To Purpose)
Author: Sheryl J. Stevens
ISBN: 155395442-4

Norm Goldman is the Editor of the Book Review and Author Interviewing Site, http://Bookpleasures.com

He is also a travel writer and together with his artist wife, Lily Azerad-Goldman, meld words with art. Their travel articles and art work can be viewed at http://www.sketchandtravel.com

It was September 1957, four young men began to pray regularly in a little school near Kells, Ireland. They persevered and prevailed in prayer, so someone was converted in January the next year. Following that, there was about one conversion every week. Twelve months later they had a weekly gathering of around fifty people at their meeting, and around a hundred other small prayer groups had sprung up in the area! They held a service the next year, which attracted a huge crowd, so they poured out onto the street. People were convicted by the Holy Spirit, so much that some of them could not stand. Revival broke out, and every night there were gatherings. They prayed, praised, read the bible, and encouraged each other. They held meetings in everyday situations: kitchens, little barns, schools, fields, and even on sidewalks. They would pray and weep all night, and neglected their farm work so they could work for souls. How did it all start? God used four young Irish lads who prevailed in prayer.

“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” – James 5:16

To promote a revival, we can use two things. One moves people, we can use the other to move God. We use truth to move men, and prayer to move God.
We obviously can’t tell God to do something, but we are changed in prayer, so God can move in us. It’s a lot like how God always wants to forgive a sinner, but He can’t forgive until the sinner’s heart meets God’s conditions. So when we pray, the change in us allows for God to answer.
This is why we can’t have a revival without prayer. The most exciting messages and truths alone will do nothing. Remember, words will never have any effect without the Holy Spirit. We must spend time in prayer, asking for Him to speak through the words and work in people’s hearts. Without it, hearts harden, because they have “heard it all before”.
“Prevail” means to triumph, win through, succeed or overcome. So prevailing prayer is prayer that persists and wins! This is one of the most important keys to a revival. We can’t have a revival without prevailing prayer. Prevailing prayer isn’t just a desire for something. It’s prayer that gets what is seeks, it moves God and has impact.
Looking at the story above is just a glimpse of the impact that prevailing prayer has. Whether we are commuting, working, or at home relaxing, we all have opportunities to pray. This is one of the best ways to use your life for God’s glory: asking Him to move. Will you commit to learning to prevail in prayer?

David Cooper writes about being a missionary in your day-to-day life, no matter what your situation is. You can read more about lifestyle evangelism, prayer, and Christian ministry at www.EverydayChaplain.com