What is Immanuel Approach Prayer?

Immanuel means “God with us” and this promise is the foundation for the whole ministry of Immanuel Prayer. The Immanuel Approach is a prayer method developed by Christian psychiatrist Dr. Karl Lehman M.D. and psychologist/theologian Dr. James Wilder Ph.D. that involves entering into a prayerful conversation with Jesus to process difficult emotions, memories, and situations, and works in tandem with how the brain processes both trauma and relationships in our memories.

Immanuel Prayer is a one to one prayer process of connecting deeply and personally with Jesus and removing barriers to an intimate, interactive lifestyle of connection with Him. Jesus loves to bring his healing and peace and help us to see ourselves, our circumstances and others as He does. The intention is that each session increases capacity to remain securely connected to Jesus as we go through life. It’s important to note that the Immanuel Approach is not a quick fix or a guarantee of immediate healing. It is a tool for building a deeper connection with Jesus and allowing Him to work in our lives over time and teaching us to be more aware of Jesus’ presence everyday. Intimacy is the goal, and emotional healing is a beautiful by-product of this.

An Immanuel coach sits with you either in person or online to help guide the Immanuel prayer time. This role is quite different from other models of prayer where the focus is more on praying for someone. An Immanuel Approach Prayer coach is more like a navigator, there to help you connect and have a healing conversation with Jesus. The beauty of this is that the coach is also blessed by the overflow of Jesus’ presence in an Immanuel prayer session.

Immanuel Prayer is easy to teach and easy to learn and with practice, we can learn how to consistently hear from Jesus and understand His perspective on our lives, our past experiences and the daily challenges we face. As we grow more intimate with Him, we discover the freedom of knowing we are loved, protected and securely attached and this leads us into a joyful journey of knowing God and ourselves better. We become our ‘true selves’ – without the baggage of the wounds and lies we can carry from unhealed trauma.

What can happen in a session?

  • Spend time with Jesus – builds capacity for deeper work
  • Receive Comfort
  • Ask Jesus a Question
  • Intercessory Prayer
  • Spiritual Direction
  • Emotional Healing Work
  • Healing from unhelpful family patterns
  • Physical Healing

How do I know it’s real?

  • Is it biblical?
  • Do I feel peace? 
  • Does it feel true to my coach as well?
  • Is it surprising and unexpected?
  • Is it an “I couldn’t have made that up” moment?
  • Is Jesus kind, empathetic and loving?
  • Do I feel safe, peaceful and satisfied?
  • Does it have long lasting fruit?
  • Does it generate freedom, rather than a sense of obligation?

How do I know it’s a genuine Immanuel Approach session?

  • Did you start with a Positive Connection/Memory?
  • Did you spend time appreciating Jesus?
  • Did you find Jesus in your space/in the positive memory?
  • Did the coach refrain from using prophecy or words of knowledge in the session?
  • Did the coach support you in finding your own personal connection with Jesus?
  • Did your coach help navigate you through the Immanuel Approach process?
  • Were you left in a place of good connection at the end?
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