Church of England Releases New Prayer Guide Warning Against Pastoral Control

The Church of England has released a new pastoral guide titled "Lord, Teach Us To Pray," warning clergy and lay leaders against what it describes as "saviour syndrome" in prayer ministry.

The guide, developed by the church's ministry team, cautions that prayer leaders can sometimes develop an unhealthy sense of spiritual authority over vulnerable individuals, leading to manipulation or dependency rather than genuine pastoral care.

The document outlines warning signs that a prayer relationship has become controlling, including situations where a person feels unable to make decisions without consulting their prayer leader, or where the leader claims special spiritual insight into another person's life circumstances.

The Church of England said the guide was developed in response to concerns raised by safeguarding teams and pastoral counselors across multiple dioceses. It follows a broader push within the denomination to strengthen safeguarding practices after several high-profile abuse cases in recent years.

The guide recommends that prayer ministry be conducted in pairs rather than one-on-one, that sessions be time-limited, and that leaders receive regular supervision from a senior pastor or trained counselor.

Church officials said the document is intended for use in training programs for prayer team members and will be distributed to all parishes. It is available for free download on the Church of England's website.