This is the sixth post in a series on my personal experience with “loud prayer, blasting and deliverance” as practiced at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in Spindale, NC. WOFF was started by Jane and Sam Whaley about 1979. Jane began to teach loud prayer and deliverance to those at WOFF and others around the world. The first post in this series has two video links that show more about the prayer as practiced at WOFF.
There is not enough room in this series to cover the full scope of my experiences during times of loud prayer at WOFF. The group behavior dynamics often intrigued me. Peer pressure and group-think are powerful forces in shaping the decisions of any one particular individual. For example, this type of prayer seemed to have a special effect on children or youth that considered their purpose was to “pray for each other and make sure each one had a breakthrough”. The direction this would take could be varied. Often young men would be drawn into a “scrum” type pile in an effort to get one of their group a “breakthrough”. The person getting prayer was on the bottom of the pile. In these cases, a “breakthrough” could be an improved confession about themselves or God’s plan or His will in that person’s life. It could mean a time of “blasting the heavens” with the friends in the group. A “breakthrough” could take many forms. It could be an improved attitude about Jane, WOFF leadership or other situations in that person’s life. Many times a person in leadership would be called over to confirm the breakthrough and permission to stop praying for that person.
Things or situations that I have seen the whole church or certain groups praying for would include healing for someone, physical protection in the face of a perceived threat, finances for an individual, business, family or the church. Other prayer needs would include Jane’s court cases, child custody cases, for a business man in the church to be able to sell a repossessed jet to a customer in Dubai, (that meant WOFF would get a big check!) wisdom for lawyers in the DSS case, Judge Randy Pool or who ever may be hearing a certain court case, local, state and federal elections, the President or other government leaders, law enforcement officers, trips out of town or out of the country to Brazil or Africa. Any number of things could be the subject of blasting prayer to “hit the heavens”.. and “push back the devils so God’s will could be done”.
During one period at WOFF, it was required to sign a “waiver” in order to receive deliverance prayer. The reason given was in case someone decided to turn around and attack, it could be proven that the person had asked for the prayer. The waiver was notarized and you had to hand the church-supplied notary a dollar. After the document was signed and notiarized, you got your dollar back. Why did I not question this whole process at the time? I was too far in, at that point.
Steven Hassan explains thought control and how it it used in mind control groups. In “Releasing the Bonds” (copyright 2000) ” 6. Use of thought stopping techniques, which shut down “reality testing” by stopping “negative” thoughts and allowing only “good” thoughts.” He lists – “chanting, meditating, praying, speaking in “tongues”, singing or humming” as methods used to control thoughts in mind control group members. (page 44)
Using loud prayer and blasting was often to help someone “get ahold of their thoughts“. For someone who was having doubts and floundering in their commitment to WOFF or Jane Whaley; they could be sent by Jane and or someone in leadership “to get prayer”. “Get your self and group and pray until the “breakthrough” comes”. “Crying out” could also be a part of the assignment. This could take many forms, but the goal was the same. Submission to do what you had been instructed- what ever that was. . and keeping away the negative thoughts “that would keeping you from serving God”..at WOFF.
In times of group prayer, there was a certain effect of mind-numbing and blankness that was evident with many members, including the children. Leaders could be heard telling members to “take hold of your minds- many of you are staring off and not thinking about what you are praying for…” This is obvious evidence of mind control techniques being used.
In the next post about loud prayer, blasting and deliverance, I will summarize and pass on some further thoughts about this practice at WOFF.
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