Prayer, Scripture, and Keeping Confidence

What You Will Learn

• Offer prayer and Scripture with permission, sensitivity, and brevity
• Choose fitting passages and avoid using verses as quick fixes
• Explain confidentiality and its limits in pastoral care
• Respond correctly when information must be shared for safety

Lesson Notes

Praying With Others

Ask first: Would you like me to pray with you? Keep prayers short, simple, and about her needs, in words she would welcome. Avoid preaching through prayer or praying about things she did not share. If she belongs to another faith, you might ask, Would a moment of silence be helpful? and respect her answer.

Prayer is a gift we offer, not a requirement. Pray one for another (James 5:16). When you do not know what to say, the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us (Romans 8:26). A simple blessing can be a comfort: The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace (Numbers 6:24–26).

Scripture in Care

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet (Psalm 119:105). When a person welcomes Scripture, choose one short, fitting passage, such as Psalm 23, Psalm 46:1, Matthew 11:28, or Romans 8:38–39. Read it slowly and ask, What do you notice? Know the verse's context before sharing it.

Timing matters: As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart (Proverbs 25:20). Comfort comes before correction. Never use a verse to dismiss pain, explain suffering, or pressure someone toward a decision.

Keeping Confidence

A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter (Proverbs 11:13). People share private pain with chaplaincy teams because they trust them. Gossip breaks that trust and can cause real harm, especially in a facility where news travels fast.

• Do not repeat what you hear to other residents, volunteers, family, or friends.
• Do not use names or details when asking others to pray.
• Share needed information only with the chaplain, following her policy.
• Keep any notes secure, brief, and free of sensitive details.

The Limits of Confidentiality

Confidentiality has limits. When someone may be in danger, you must get help, even if she asked you to keep it secret. This includes talk of suicide or self-harm, plans to harm someone else, abuse, or a medical emergency. Scripture calls us to deliver them that are drawn unto death (Proverbs 24:11).

Because of this, never promise total secrecy. You might say: I will keep what you share private, except if someone's safety is at risk. Then I would need to get help. Professional chaplains may have special legal protections or duties that volunteers do not; these rules differ by role, setting, and state. Ask your chaplain what applies to you: ____________________. Inside a facility, go to staff or the chaplain immediately; outside, call 911 or call or text 988.

Key Terms

In-Class Activities

Short Prayers, Fitting Verses

For each of four invented situations (a frightened patient before surgery, a resident who just lost a parent, a disaster survivor, a staff member after a hard shift), write a short prayer of two or three sentences and choose one fitting verse. Then write how you would ask permission first.

Keep It, Share It, or Get Help Now?

Read ten statements someone might make during a visit. Mark each K (keep it private), C (share with the chaplain per policy), or N (get help now). Write one reason for each, and practice how you would explain the limits of confidentiality kindly.

Assignment: Final Project Draft: Philosophy of Care

Begin the first part of your final project (see the Final Project section). Write a first draft of your philosophy-of-care statement (about one page) that includes:

• Your biblical foundation for pastoral care (at least two KJV verses).
• What the ministry of presence means to you.
• How you will serve people of all faiths and none.
• How you will use prayer and Scripture.
• How you will keep confidence, and its limits.

Bring your draft and your Module 6 visit plan to Module 8.

Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.

Reflection Journal

Proverbs 11:13 praises a faithful spirit that conceals a matter. Has someone kept your confidence, or broken it? How did it affect your trust? What kind of keeper of others' stories do you want to be?

Prayer focus: Ask God for a faithful spirit that guards others' stories, gentle words in prayer, and courage to get help when someone's safety is at risk.

A Faithful Spirit

Prayer and Scripture are precious gifts, so we offer them with care. Ask first: Would you like me to pray with you? Keep the prayer short and about her needs. Choose one fitting verse, read it slowly, and ask what she notices. If she says no, honor it gladly and stay present.

People will tell chaplaincy teams things they have told no one else. A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter (Proverbs 11:13). In a facility, where news travels fast, a faithful spirit is rare and precious. Do not repeat what you hear, and do not use names or details when you ask others to pray.

But confidentiality has limits. When Keisha told a volunteer that someone on her unit had threatened to hurt her, and begged her not to tell, the volunteer said gently, I care about you too much to keep this secret. Your safety matters. Let's go to the chaplain together. (Keisha is a composite example.) Safety comes first.

That is why you never promise total secrecy. Instead you can say at the start: I will keep what you share private, except if someone's safety is at risk. Then I would need to get help. Honesty about limits builds deeper trust.

Think About It

1. Has someone kept your confidence when it mattered? ______________________
2. How will you explain the limits of confidentiality? ______________________
3. What short prayer could you offer someone who is afraid? ______________________

Daily Devotions for Week 7

A Faithful Spirit

A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.— Proverbs 11:13 (KJV)

Keeping confidence is a mark of faithfulness and love.

Reflect: Is there a story you need to stop repeating?

Pray: Lord, give me a faithful spirit.

Do: Refuse to pass on one piece of gossip today.

Deliver Them

If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;— Proverbs 24:11 (KJV)

When life is at risk, love speaks up and gets help.

Reflect: Do you know who to go to if someone is in danger?

Pray: Lord, give me courage to act when someone is at risk.

Do: Review your When to Get Help card.

The Spirit Helps

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.— Romans 8:26 (KJV)

You do not need perfect words. The Spirit prays with us.

Reflect: When have you not known how to pray?

Pray: Holy Spirit, pray in me and through me.

Do: Pray a one-sentence prayer for someone today.

The LORD Bless Thee

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:— Numbers 6:24 (KJV)

A simple blessing can carry great comfort.

Reflect: Who could you bless with these words?

Pray: Lord, bless and keep the people I serve.

Do: Memorize Numbers 6:24–26.

A Very Present Help

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.— Psalm 46:1 (KJV)

In every crisis, God is near and able.

Reflect: What trouble do you need to bring to your Refuge?

Pray: Lord, be my refuge and strength today.

Do: Read Psalm 46 aloud slowly.