A chaplain describes spiritual ministry to patients at Prairie View’s Addictions Treatment Center.

Her addiction to painkillers had brought “Tammy” (not her real name) to this place in the chapel. Here others surrounded her. They, too, knew their own addictions, had their own stories and their own hopes for healing at Prairie View’s Addictions Treatment Center in Newton, Kan.

As stained-glass windows poured spots of orange sunlight onto the carpet, the chapel became a place of surrender for Tammy. “OK, it’s you and me, God,” she prayed. “Today is the day I admit that my life is unmanageable.”

I met Tammy when she came to Prairie View for inpatient, residential treatment in the Addictions Treatment Center. During the first spirituality group she attended, I heard her story of becoming addicted to painkillers following a brain injury. This was heavy stuff for her. Her life had become unmanageable. She knew tears more than joy. Her addiction had taken over her life to the point that she had neglected her family. She felt she had become a nobody. Above all, she felt unworthy of God’s love.

For our last session together as a spirituality group, I had invited Tammy and others who would be leaving the Addictions Treatment Center soon to physically symbolize the journey of their healing by participating in a symbolic healing ritual. Guiding the process, I had asked individuals ahead of time to design their own healing rituals.

Excited and motivated, Tammy had planned hers in detail. Earlier in the week, while on a walk with staff, Tammy instructed others to gather elements of nature. They would represent the transformation of her pain. They found a cactus, a flower, a stick, even rocks and dirt.

During the healing ritual, she explained the symbolism. The cactus and flower represented the transformation from sin to mercy. The forked stick showed religion transformed into ministry. Rocks and dirt represented her shame, guilt, blame and fear transformed into empathy, conviction, compassion and courage.

The song “Anoint Me, Lord” by Vicki Yohe played in the background:
“Broken hearts and lives / Can be mended anew / Just with one touch, / Dear Lord, from you.”

We watched, mesmerized, as Tammy poured water over the elements to symbolize a cleansing and letting go of the pain and the things that had blocked her healing for so long. She described her self-destruction as being transformed into a healthy body, mind and spirit; her earlier skepticism now a blossoming faith.

After Tammy shared, everyone gathered around her, and I anointed her. Hugs followed, and Tammy prayed, “Your Spirit in me weeps. These tears are familiar tears. They are Spirit tears. I will surrender to their work.”

I first experienced healing litanies while taking a seminary class at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind., taught by visiting instructor Tilda Norberg, founder of Gestalt Pastoral Care. Rooted in the Christian ministry of healing, Gestalt Pastoral Care integrates Gestalt growth work, spiritual companionship and prayers for healing.

My experience with personal healing litanies helps people celebrate their surrender to God’s healing work. The litanies are not meant to fix the problem or cure a sickness. They simply mark a sacred moment toward healing and point the way toward continued growth.

Tammy is just one example of Prairie View’s holistic approach to healing. As chaplain, I encourage clients to explore how their spirituality plays a role in their healing process. Healing starts with meeting people where they are. Because we are spiritual beings, our image of God affects how we make decisions and how we relate to others.

When clients first come to the Saturday spirituality group (which is specifically for those in the Addictions Treatment Center), I invite them to think of an image that describes their life before Prairie View. One young man drew an arrow with a hand catching it. He explained that he was ready to grab hold of the things that cause pain in his life.

Having a willing spirit is a great first step and necessary one for healing to happen. Of course, not every client is open to having that discussion that brings challenges. Most individuals who have an addiction when they come to Prairie View know their lives are unmanageable and are seeking something or someone bigger than themselves to guide them.

Healing litanies provide clients with an opportunity to express and celebrate those healings. One client asked to throw eggs to symbolize breaking the shell of anger and pain. Another individual ran through a black sheet into the light; he carried a battery-lit candle while Chris Rice’s song “Go Light Your World” was playing.

My goal is, first of all, to be a presence not only to those in the Addictions Treatment Center but to the other inpatients I counsel. When they arrive, many individuals are already dealing with shame and guilt, depression and anxiety. I want to mirror back to them the goodness I see in each of them and help them discover for themselves who they truly are. I tell these people, “You were loved even before your parents loved you, and there is this love that you can return to.” I remind them that they are not their addiction.

Through our time together, we talk about forgiveness, letting go, gratitude and a variety of topics. We write about our images of God. We talk about faith rituals we have experienced in our lives, such as Communion and baptism. We talk about alcohol and drugs and other addictions that have brought them here.

These people carry for me the blessing of God’s belovedness. They remind me of my own spiritual poverty and that we all have challenges. My greatest joy is seeing their faces light up when they’ve learned a new revelation, whether in my group or from other Prairie View staff—the counselors, medical staff and recovery support staff. These people do the hard work of providing daily care and assist in the challenging task of helping clients become aware of their own reality.

After all, transformation is not about turning us into something we were not, but helping us discover for ourselves the people God created us to be.

Karen K. Andres is a chaplain at Prairie View and a member of Tabor Mennonite Church in Newton, Kan.