Inner Healing Through Prayer

Inner PRAYER MINISTRY HEALING THROUGH PRAYER

RAPHA GOD MINISTRIES

Ministry provides support through prayer, rejuvenation for spiritual leaders at new center

BY MICHELLE R. TORRES

For the last eight years, Rapha God Ministries (RGM) has provided the San Antonio and Hill Country community an opportunity for inner healing. Through the compassionate hearts of the ministry’s volunteers, numerous individuals have turned to the nonprofit for comfort, guidance and a listening ear. With the help of RGM’s prayer warriors, people from all over the city and the surrounding area have experienced healing through the direction of personal prayer via phone conferencing and in-person ministry.

“Our ministry is slightly different from traditional altar prayer. Instead of people dropping off notes in a box, in an effort to practice safe social distancing, they can tell us their requests over the phone. While our primary way of ministering to the community is in-person prayer, people have the option to take part in our phone-based ministry. We listen and then act as facilitators, helping them take their own words to put into prayer back to the Lord,” explained Founder Tammy Watts. Requests can be made through one of RGM’s two ministries, the Prayer Phone Bank or a Personal Prayer session. The Prayer Bank ministry allows people to call in for 10-15 minutes for a prayer blessing of Christcentered direction while a Personal Prayer session can last up to two hours. A session involves a 2-3-person team of Rapha God ministers who guide, with the help of the Holy Spirit, individuals through the prayer healing process. While ministers are not licensed counselors, the ministry can provide referrals to Christian-licensed counselors if needed.

When we set out to establish this ministry, we knew we wanted something that would meet the specific needs of San Antonio’s people,”

Watts reflected.

Building a network of volunteers and affiliates to support the nonprofit’s efforts was a priority for Watts.

“In addition to our English services, we want to be able to minister to the Spanish-speaking population here, too.”

Thus, RGM formed a team of Spanish-speaking volunteers to reach more people in the South Texas city. Director of Spanish Ministries, Laura Falconer, oversees the group and advocates for its significance to the community.

“All services are provided in Spanish—from prayer to worship, scripture and music,” explained Falconer. “The value of our Spanish ministry is not only to be able to speak the language, but just as important, to recognize the cultural background of our Spanishspeaking community, too. It’s been powerful to be able to offer these services and to see the positive response we’ve received.”

In addition to personal prayer services, Rapha God Ministries recently expanded its efforts to provide spiritual leaders an opportunity to refocus—a literal getaway in the Texas Hill Country.

The idea for the space emerged last fall after Watts was teaching a training session. Sensing the need to take a step back, she and other ministry leaders took a semi-sabbatical to reflect and pray. It was during this time that she envisioned a long-term, more intensive place for ministers to go to rest. Shortly thereafter, the retreat center was established and fittingly named, Grace Way. It is intended to be a place for ministry leaders and pastors to stop and pause. It is convenient because it’s nearby, but still provides an escape outside of the city. More importantly, it allows church leadership to get the ministry they need for themselves. It is also a great place to talk with other church leaders and form new relationships,”

Watts said.

Mike Oakes who serves on the board of directors for Rapha God Ministries, adds, “Grace Way is a place for men and women involved in ministry to find rest and peace. To calm their minds to hear more clearly from God. So many servants are worn out and need to take time to rest. Tammy and the Rapha team feel that God is leading them to take some aspects of the traditional prayer ministry out into nature where they can encounter God in a fresh and personal way.”

Whether through personal prayer or leadership ministry, Rapha God is leading the way offering unique healing experiences that meet the needs of the San Antonio community and local church leaders.

Be a Light

PRAY

Pray that those who reach out to RGM seeking prayer and healing, that God reveal answers, that trained volunteers through the guidance of the Holy Spirit would facilitate a personal experience with Jesus as He wills, and that this act provides an opportunity to strengthen their relationship with the Lord.

SUPPORT

Train to become a volunteer to be a prayer warrior for those needing the healing love of Jesus Christ and see God move in the lives of those who are hurting.

GIVE

Prayer is the starting place for God to move. Prayerfully consider a special gift or monthly support for Rapha God Ministries’ efforts.

raphagodministries.org info@raphagodministries.org 4 Dominion Drive Building 1 San Antonio, TX 78257 210.969.9900