Running head: PRAYER & SCRIPTURE IN THERAPY 1

Use of Prayer and Scripture in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: A Journal Article Review

Kevin Canfield

Liberty University

COUN-506

December 8, 2021
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Summary

In Use of Prayer and Scripture in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, published in the

Journal of Psychology and Christianity in 2007, Siang-Yang Tan discusses how prayer and

scripture can be incorporated into the practice of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Recently,

in the field of CBT, there has arisen a proposed mindfulness regarding a two-component model

that involves self-regulation, focuses on present circumstances, and adopts an orientation to the

acceptance of one’s situation. Tan shows that this model of CBT can be combined with prayer

and scriptural truth to bring lasting benefit to clients. He references a study by Hayes, Luoma,

Bond, Masuda and Lillis (2006) which described a historical process of behavior therapy that

was divided into three generational movements and consisted of a gradual transition from

traditional behavior therapy and CBT to contextualistic approaches like Acceptance and

Commitment Therapy (ACT) (Tan, 2007, p. 101).

Tan describes a self-developed biblical model to this approach that consists of an 8-part

process. This process includes emphasizing agape love and resolving past memories;

discovering spiritual meaning; using scriptural truth to promote behavior change; relying on the

Holy Spirit’s ministering; focusing on the big picture and adhering to techniques that are biblical;

and the consultation of ongoing research before making conclusive declarations about the

superiority of CBT (Tan, 2007, p. 102).

The author also addresses the use of implicit and explicit assimilation in therapeutic

situations. He insists that the choice of either an implicit or an explicit approach should be

determined primarily by the needs of the client, and that the Holy Spirit should be relied upon for

guidance (Tan, 2007, pp. 102-103). Tan does not, however, take for granted that all clients will

be comfortable with the inclusion of prayer and scripture in the CBT process. He says that this
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approach “may not be appropriate with more severely disturbed or psychotic clients…” (Tan,

2007, p. 104). A detailed intake interview will obviously reveal whether the client is open to this

approach or whether this method is appropriate for them. Tan asserts that this type of approach

is very beneficial to clients experiencing depression, anxiety and anger issues, as well as those

dealing with addictions.

One approach, developed by Tan in 1992, is a 7-step inner healing prayer. This method

is a form of communicating with the Wonderful Counselor and aids the client in focusing more

on Christ than upon the hurt or woundedness they have experienced. Providing the reader with

an example of a typical session using this approach, Tan describes the actual interaction between

client and counselor (Tan, 2007, p. 105). Tan states that “the appropriate and ethical use of

Scripture or the Bible in Christian CBT…can be of significant help to Christian clients who

seriously take the Bible to be the inspired Word of God and their ultimate authority in life (Tan,

2007, p. 108). He shows how the use of Scripture can enhance cognitive restructuring.

Although this method of combining prayer and scripture with CBT seems to be a very

effective approach, the author cautions the reader that there are some clients who will not receive

it, even though several empirical studies have shown its benefits.

Interact

It is clear that the author is addressing an approach to therapy that has traditionally been

overlooked by many mainstream practitioners. The integration of CBT with prayer and scripture

obviously provides most clients with lasting, maintenance-free resolution. Since humans are

created by God (Psa. 139:13), it makes perfect sense to go to the Manufacturer when broken

people need repairing. As Christians, we understand that absolute truth comes only from the

Scriptures and that God alone is truth. He and His Word are identical (John 1:1). Christian
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counselors should, therefore, make positive use of what God has given them in their attempts to

reconstruct a client’s thought processes. Since we all have faulty thinking and are in need of

mind renewal (Rom. 12:2), why not ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth through the Scriptures to

replace the lies people devise from the misinterpretation of historical events and/or traumatic

experiences?

The insights I gained from this article are not really new to me; however, I found it very

encouraging that empirical studies are beginning to prove the benefits of incorporating prayer

and scripture into CBT, and that the scientific community is starting to sit up and take notice.

This has inspired me to seek out more information on this subject, and see what others are doing

in this area to help deeply hurting people.

It’s a known fact that in CBT a therapist with the best intentions can convince a client to

think differently about themselves and to rewrite the tape of their history. However, at some

point in the future, all the work they accomplish can be undone by another traumatic event or

triggered by something or someone that causes the client to revert back to their previous faulty

thinking. Until the client is set free by the Lord Jesus Christ, the Giver of All Truth, they will

never be “free indeed” (John 8:36).

Application

As a lay minister, before beginning my education in counseling, I used the principles of

the inner healing prayer albeit under a different name. I have found it to be a very effective

approach, and I will continue to make use of it in the future, even after I have completed my

education. In addition, I plan to couple this approach with references to the Scriptures, as the

Lord leads and as the client is receptive to it.

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Currently, I am working at a homeless shelter that houses an array of clients with various

problems. Many are depressed and suffer from addiction issues. With the support of the

administrator, who is a Christian psychologist, I will be incorporating prayer and scripture with

CBT in my ministry at the shelter.

My approach with these clients will be to begin a session with prayer and follow with

encouraging the client to think about those things in life that have been the most painful for them

– something that is easy to get a hold on at that moment. I will remind them that they are now in

a safe place and that it is perfectly alright for them to embrace the truth of what occurred and

identify the pain and lies which are attached to that event. As the client re-experiences the event

and replays the tape of what occurred, I will pray aloud and ask the Lord Jesus to reveal the truth

in that memory. I will then encourage the client to tell me what they are experiencing and

discern from their responses whether or not their experiences are scriptural according to the

Word of God. Once the client has obtained truth from the Lord regarding the painful event, we

will re-visit that place and see how the client feels about the memory and how it relates to today.

This will then be followed by giving the client some homework that might include prayer,

reading pertinent scriptures, and journaling what transpires before the next session takes place. I

will end the session by asking them to offer a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for revealing

truth to them today.

The use of prayer and scripture in combination with CBT is a very effective method to

helping people make sense of their problems, and I believe, goes a long way in affecting lasting,

maintenance-free change in a client’s life.

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References

King James Bible.

Tan, S.-Y. (2007). Use of prayer and scripture in cognitive-behavioral therapy. Journal of

Psychology and Christianity, 16(2), p. 101-111.