Faith and Prayer Based Spiritual Gifts

Last week we took our Spiritual Gifts Inventory. This week we will be discussing the faith and prayer based spiritual gifts or charisms.

These charisms are:

• Discernment

• Faith

• Healing

• Intercession

• Trust

• Wisdom

  
  
  
  

For those of you scored high in these, here's what it means for you:

Discernment

Is an active attempt to working on learning God's will. It is the ability and attempt through reason and prayer to see the real from fake. To know what is from God and what is not. This can be seen in different ways. Some can discern people and their intentions. Others are exceptional in discerning situations. Others can discern people's callings or missions from God. All of this falls under the umbrella of discernment.

You can find many ministries that involve Discernment. Some examples could be: Prison Ministry. RCIA sponsorship. Marriage sponsorship. Spiritual Direction.

Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees. I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes. - Psalm 119:124-125 NIV

Faith

We've all heard the quote about the mustard seed. But what does that really mean? Faith is not belief. It's more. It is a steadfastness in God. It is the total understanding that just because we can't see the way God works, we know He does. We know He will always respond to our prayers; He will always be good and just; He will always work in our best interest, even if we don't recognize what that is at the time. I once saw a Facebook post that worded it in a way that just made sense: "Faith is not about everything turning out ok. Faith is about being ok no matter how things turn out." For it to be a spiritual gift, it is a stronger acceptance of this than most have. Maybe it's what secular people call eternal optimism, however, it's not being ignorant or naive.

You can find many ministries that involve Faith. Some examples could be: Spiritual Counseling. Communion and Eucharistic Ministry. ACTS.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. - Hebrews 11:1 NIV

Healing

Bet you didn't expect to see this in the prayer based gifts. However, this charism is about the prayer for healing, not so much the act of physically healing a person. It is to pray for those who are ailing from physical, emotional, mental or spiritual illnesses. This gift is about both praying for a cure for the ill or injured, but also about asking God for that person's suffering to not be in vain. Asking for God to do his good with and through the person who is suffering. It is assurance that God has the power to give others the grace to endure and have courage no matter their condition.

You can find many ministries that involve Healing. Some examples could be: Funeral Ministry. Hospital or Nursing Home Ministry. Meals on Wheels.

Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. - James 5:14-16 NIV

Intercession

This is also a form of prayer. A person with this charism is often found utilizing this form of prayer, often as they go about their normal daily tasks all day long. Intercessory prayer is praying for others. It's praying for someone to have a good day, or for God to ease their burdens. It's praying for someone to get the job they have worked so hard for, or God to protect the person walking down the street. What makes this a charism is the fact that a person with this gift is often ready at anytime to pray for another in need, even if they never know the outcome or why the prayer was needed in the first place. Someone with this gift could walk by another person frowning, and immediately say a quick prayer to God to help bring that person joy.

There are many ministries that involve Intercession. Some examples could be: Prayer Group or Prayer Warriors. Rosary Ministry. Prayers for Vocations. Lector.

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. - 1 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV

Trust

This one at first would sound like Faith, but it is the actions resulting in the belief that God can do anything. This is the charism that would also be called the working of miracles. It is the deep understanding that God created everything, and therefore can do the impossible. So, nothing is too small or large for God to handle. Why not then ask for it? Why not work towards the impossible, even against all odds, to answer God's call and mission? This gift often calls for one to surrender themselves to God fully in order to achieve God's will. But one with this charism, understands this more than most.

There are many ministries that involve Trust. Some examples could be: Social Justice Ministry. Spiritual Counseling. Communion for the Sick and Elderly. Youth Ministry.

Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. - John 14:11-14 NIV

Wisdom

The charism of Wisdom is understanding God's will and how it relates to everyday life. It is to help others to know what God is calling them to do in life. It is the judgement of being able to sort through the problems and find resolutions that align with the moral life God calls us to live. This is why good rulers who follow God are said to exercise Wisdom in the bible.

There are many ministries that involve Wisdom. Some examples could be: Parish Council. Youth Ministry. Spiritual Direction. RCIA.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. - James 3:13-17 NIV

Take the Spiritual Gifts quiz and find out what your charisms are!

The San Pedro Roman Catholic Church as both an online and printable inventory.

Click the button below for the link to their site page with instructions and the quiz.

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Next week we'll discuss the Spiritual Gifts based on Learning and Knowledge.

Let me know what you think of the faith based gifts. Are they what you thought they would be?