Ghana prayer camp liturgies for spiritual support regarding mental suffering : a practical theological approach

Abstract

This study investigated Ghanaian prayer camp liturgies for spiritual support for people with mental health challenges. Spirituality permeates African beliefs, attitudes and practices. Through the effective use of liturgies for what is called ‘spiritual healing’, the aim of prayer camps is to facilitate healing for people with mental health challenges. The point of departure is Christian values such as the restoration of human life and dignity.

In Ghana, most Christian communities believe that mental health problems have a demonic origin. This is why many people with mental health challenges and their families prefer the ‘spiritual healing’ approach of prayer camps in their search for a solution to the problem. Prayer camps are eclectic spiritual groups who often reside in forest areas and small villages. They are often more accessible to people, especially in rural areas, than medical facilities.

The study investigated three prayer camps in Ghana and their liturgies for spiritual healing for persons with mental health problems. The study evaluated the services the camps provide and the liturgies by means of which spiritual healing is offered. The study investigated the relationship between Christian spirituality and mental health problems in an African context. The three prayer camps selected for the empirical investigation of the study were the Mount Horeb Prayer Center, Mamfe, the Grace Evangelical Team and Patmos Prayer Camp, Akropong and the Ogie Prayer Camp, in the Achimota Forest, Accra. The study explores the reasons why Ghanaian people visit prayer camps for spiritual healing and the effects of the liturgies specifically with regard to persons with mental health problems. This is a mainly qualitative practical theological study which followed a multi-disciplinary method that included a literature study and participatory action research. Insights from the fields of ethnography and anthropology were utilised. Empirical data were gathered through interviews, focus group discussions, participatory observation, and from the popular media, including local newspapers and television programmes.

In order to situate the study within practical theological praxis, Richard Osmer’s model which identifies four research tasks was adopted. The main outcome of the study is that liturgies for spiritual healing in an African context serve a very specific purpose for persons with mental health challenges and their families. Ghanaian people do not tend to attribute mental health problems only to medical and biological factors. For them the spiritual element has to be considered. For this, spiritual support is needed. The study has shown that the prayer camps in Ghana that provide spiritual support in some form is needed. The prayer camps offer spiritual healing the in form of prayers, deliverance liturgies, prophetic declarations, counselling, and rehabilitation. The study finds that the work of prayer camps is of great value to Ghanaian people who suffer with various problems and conditions, including mental health conditions, problems and challenges.