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

Thesis (PhD (Practical Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2022.

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Other Authors: Dreyer, Yolanda
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2023
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Dreyer, Yolanda
author_browse Dreyer, Yolanda
author_facet Dreyer, Yolanda
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2022 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Thesis (PhD (Practical Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2022.
format Thesis
id oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/89177
institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:37:48.227Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2023
publishDateRange 2023
publishDateSort 2023
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
record_format dspace
source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/89177 Ghana prayer camp liturgies for spiritual support regarding mental suffering : a practical theological approach Dreyer, Yolanda ernest.agyemang@tuks.co.za Agyemang, Ernest Gyimah UCTD Mental health problem Mental suffering Spiritual healing Liturgies and Ghana Prayer camps Spiritual support Ghana prayer camp liturgies Theology theses SDG-03 Theology theses SDG-04 Theology theses SDG-10 Theology theses SDG-16 Thesis (PhD (Practical Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2022. 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. ae2026 Practical Theology PhD (Practical Theology) Unrestricted SDG-03: Good health and well-being SDG-04: Quality education SDG-10: Reduced inequalities SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutions 2023-02-07T07:01:20Z 2023-02-07T07:01:20Z 2023-04 2022 Thesis * A2023 https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/89177 Disclaimer letter en © 2022 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle UCTD
Mental health problem
Mental suffering
Spiritual healing
Liturgies and Ghana
Prayer camps
Spiritual support
Ghana prayer camp liturgies
Theology theses SDG-03
Theology theses SDG-04
Theology theses SDG-10
Theology theses SDG-16
Ghana prayer camp liturgies for spiritual support regarding mental suffering : a practical theological approach
title Ghana prayer camp liturgies for spiritual support regarding mental suffering : a practical theological approach
title_full Ghana prayer camp liturgies for spiritual support regarding mental suffering : a practical theological approach
title_fullStr Ghana prayer camp liturgies for spiritual support regarding mental suffering : a practical theological approach
title_full_unstemmed Ghana prayer camp liturgies for spiritual support regarding mental suffering : a practical theological approach
title_short Ghana prayer camp liturgies for spiritual support regarding mental suffering : a practical theological approach
title_sort ghana prayer camp liturgies for spiritual support regarding mental suffering a practical theological approach
topic UCTD
Mental health problem
Mental suffering
Spiritual healing
Liturgies and Ghana
Prayer camps
Spiritual support
Ghana prayer camp liturgies
Theology theses SDG-03
Theology theses SDG-04
Theology theses SDG-10
Theology theses SDG-16
url https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/89177