Articles 07/02

A Brief Overview of the Virkler Inner Healing model 

by Steve Cadman MSW

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             Mark Virkler's model is essentially built on the foundation of the Kylstra model, which I commented on in the January article. He acknowledges this. He has however added a few very useful elements to the Kylstra framework from other models, which bear paying attention to. His book, "Prayers that Heal the Heart", may be the single most balanced, concise and complete resource available for those wishing to pursue Inner Healing. It is for the most part not something new, but it is a very full and good integration of what has gone before it in this field, plus it is very well written with a good flow to it. It is extremely "meaty" and yet not a hard read. The multitude of spiritual nuances regarding emotional/spiritual dynamics and process, make this book worth reading even apart from the additional elements he has added to the Kylstra model. 

            Virkler pictures the strongholds in us as a house which has different elements to it's structure, all of which need to be dealt with in order to fully dismantle the house. These elements include Generational sins/curses, Ungodly Soul Ties, Negative Expectations, Inner Vows, Traumatic Pictures & Self Effort. The Ungodly Soul Ties and Traumatic Pictures are Virkler's additions to the Kylstra model. 

             The most obvious ungodly soul ties in scripture would appear to be from sexual unions (1 Cor. 6:16). Virkler extends this to include all sexual encounters that have not led to intercourse such as lust, pornography, infatuation or any erotic joining. He points to Matt. 5:27-28 where Jesus said that if you look at a woman to lust after her, you have committed adultery with her in your heart.  

            Virkler sees all covenants (sexual or otherwise) as contracts, whether they are written, verbal or merely "understood". He sees blood pacts, and possibly blood transfusions, as fitting into this framework as biblical covenants were sealed with blood. His belief is that the life, energies and provisions flowing through these other people now have access to and will be shared by us in some ways, causing all sorts of sins, sexual pressures, sicknesses and problems. 

             Virkler extends this framework of ongoing life connections to all other covenant relationships as well, whether they are sexual in nature or not. In a non-sexual sense, the scriptural example he refers to is the soul tie between David and Jonathon in 1 Samuel 18:1. He also believes that any intense negative emotional relationship with someone regarding dominance, manipulation, control, violence, fear, abuse, etc. may create soul ties. 

             I don't think that many of us would argue against the need to bring sexual unions before God for separation, based on the above scripture. Other emotionally based soul ties though, would seem to be less straight forward and have less clear cut support in scripture. I think however that most counselors / counsellors would agree, based on experience, that there is usually a residue of some type of emotional connections and influences wherever there has been intense relationships. Describing this as at least partially being a soul tie, may or may not be true, but I don't see the harm in bringing it before God as such just in case it is. Praying about it certainly cannot do any harm as long as we don't get legalistic or dogmatic about it, and it might even turn out to do a lot of good. 

             The other dimension of healing that Virkler has added to the Kylstra model, involves the inner pictures we have of the traumas we have been through. Virkler postulates that life is made up of a series of individual scenes, and that the cultural saying that a picture is worth a thousand words may in fact have some truth to it. As such a picture may be worth a thousand confessions, and thus may create enough energy to overpower a singular confession of forgiveness. This would on the surface seem to fit with the experience of most of us, that forgiveness is not a one-time thing but rather an ongoing process that has to happen on progressively deeper and deeper levels in us, in order for it to really and fully take. 

             Virkler believes that our traumatic pictures are at least partially a lie if we do not see or sense Jesus present in them watching over and protecting us to some degree, since He is omnipresent. God doesn't totally over-ride others' free will choice to sin against us, but He was trying to do things in those situations. The prayer process involves asking Jesus to take us back to that painful memory and show us how He was responding at the time, how He is wanting us to respond, and what He is asking us to do. We ask for our blinders to be removed so we can see clearly what is transpiring, and for the Holy Spirit to guide the flow of pictures. Virkler cautions against trying to make up the scene oneself. Unfortunately, controlling and manipulating scenes in the imagination is one of the things the occult tries to do. 

             The one caution I think would be wise to add to this, is to not expect Jesus to always show us these things when we ask this of Him in a prayer process. This expectation in itself, even if we are consciously trying to not create the scenes, may unconsciously pressure us at some level to come up with the desired outcome. This would be a concern especially for those with DID, although it is likely to be an issue for everyone to some degree. It is not up to us to lead God to the steps we want Him to address, but rather to be open to following Him into whatever steps or areas He chooses. Accepting a non-response from Him to a particular tact or timing, would seem essential to me. 

             Mark Virkler has a very useful list of prayers and guidelines in his book, which can be ordered through his web link or phone #, which are in our web site under the Resources / Books / Inner Healing links. 

books on Inner Healing

a brief description of Inner Healing

Other articles by Steve & Heidi Cadman-Neu