A Profession of many Faces: The Application and Relevance of Prayer to Social Work Counseling in Botswana
Keywords:
Social Work, prayer, CounselingAbstract
The relevance and application of prayer to Social Work counseling is the basis
of a holistic and multi-dimensional approach to social problems. Practice must
not only consider its importance but its application in work with clients. If social
work which is a profession of many faces does not equip practitioners to
appreciate and value the spiritual expression of individuals, groups, and
communities, it would have failed to address problems in an integrated manner.
Although there are common principles and values used in prayer and social
work counseling such as confidentiality, client self-determination, and self
awareness, the author acknowledges that there are social work practitioners
who do not embrace spirituality and would consider prayer as irrelevant to their
work. This paper intends to demonstrate benefits of prayer in social work
intervention with individuals, groups, communities and nations, particularly in
the African context. It asserts that prayer is rooted in various traditional
communities, religious groups, and features in national ceremonies like
Independence celebrations, judicial legal year opening, and Kgotla meetings.
References
Adams, J. (1986). Competent to Counsel: Introduction to Nnouthetic Counseling. Michigan:
Zondervan Publishing House,
Amanze, J. (1988). African Christianity in Botswana: The Case of African Independent Churches.
Zimbabwe: Mambo Press.
Akbar, N, N. (1981). Rhythmic Patterns in African Personality: African Philosophy-Assumptions
paradigm for research on Black Persons. Los Angeles, Fanon R&D Centre.
Barnes, L. M. (1980). Religion and Folklore amongst the Basarwa in Letlhakane, Botswana,
Remote Area Development Programme. Government Printer: Gaborone.
Beebe, S. A. and Masterson, J. T. (1986). Family Talk: Interpersonal Communication in the family.
New York: McGraw-Hill.
Brammer, L. M. (1993). The Helping Relationship: Process and skills (5th ed). Massachusetts:
Allyn and Bacon
Corey, G. (2005). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy. Massachusetts: Allyn and
Bacon.
Derezotes, D. S. (2006). Spiritually Oriented Social Work Practice. California: Pearson Education Inc,
United States of America.
Egan, G. (1994). The skilled Helper: A problem-management to helping (5th ed). California: Brooks/
Cole Publishing Co, Pacific Grove
Gray, M. (1997). Social Work. A Professional Journal for the Social Worker, 33 (3), 211- 220.
Goll, J. W. (2007). The Prophetic Intercessor: Releasing God's Purpose to Change Lives and
Influence Nations. Michigan: Chosen Books, Grand Rapids
Hardcastle D. A., Wenocur, S. and Powers, P. R. (1997). Community Practice: Theories and Skills
for Social Workers. New York: Oxford University Press.
Hinson, W. H. (1985). Solid living in a shattered world. Tennessee: Abingdon Press, Nashville.
Hutton, M. (1992). Social Work: An Extension of Community. National Institute of Development,
Research and Documentation, University of Botswana.
Karenga M. (1989). The Introduction to Black Studies. University of Sankore, Spring
Lewis G. R. (2009). Prayer in Buddhism, Albuquerque Buddhist Fellowship Group. www.shinnewmexico.bffct.net. 14th August.
Lesser, J. G. and Pope, D. S. (2007). Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Theory and
Practice. USA: Pearson Education, United States of America.
Morales, A. T. and Sheafor B. W. (1995). Social Work: A profession of many faces (7th ed) USA:
Allyn and Bacon
National Association of Social Workers (1981). NASW Standards for the Classification of Social
Worker Practice, Policy Statements, Silver Spring, Md. NSAW .
New International Version of the Holy Bible (1985). Struik Christian Books. Cape Town, South
Africa.
Nobles, W. W (1980). African Philosophy: Foundations for Black Psychology. In Harris. L. (ed.)
Philosophy Born of Struggle. Dubuque, IA: Kendal/ Hunt, Harper and Row, New York.
Peale, N. V. (1984). The Power of Positive Thinking; the Great Inspirational Best Seller of Our time.
USA: Printice Hall, United States of America.
Pearson J. C., West, R. L. and Turner L. H. (1995). Gender and Communication (3rd ed). USA:
Brown and Benchmark Pub,
Phillips, F. B. (1990). NTU Psychotherapy: An Afrocentric Approach. Journal of Black Psychology,
(Fall), 17(1), 55-74.
Piccard, B. J. (1988). Introduction to Social Work: A Primer (4th Ed). Chicago: The Dorsey Press,
Satir, V. (1988). The New People Making, Science and Behavior Books, United States of America
Stewart, J. (1995). Bridges Not Walls: A Book about Interpersonal Communication (6th ed) New
York: Mc Graw-Hill Inc.
Serkan Tufan (2009). Prayer: the Second Pillar of Islam. www.bellaonline.com. Accessed 14th August.
White, J. (1987). Choosing plan A in a plan B world: living out the Lordship of Christ. New York.
Guideposts.
