The number of medical professionals who
are discovering the medical benefits of faith and prayer is growing.
Scientific experiments have been and are being conducted today, to study
the effects of prayer on the psychological as well as the physical aspects of
health.
The results: a growing body of evidence that proves prayer can
be an effective tool to combat illness and disease.
One study by Harold Koenig, a Duke University
psychiatrist, found that older people who attend religious services are
both less depressed and physically healthier than those who worship at
home (TV). The importance of this study lies in the fact that the context
of prayer- a caring community, for instance -contributes to its
success.
A Harvard
Medical School Study conducted by Dr. Herbert Benson found that repetitive
prayer and the rejection of intrusive thoughts results in a specific set
of physiologic changes that resemble relaxation. This “relaxation
response” is a beneficial therapy when treating a number of
diseases, including hypertension, cardiac rhythm irregularities to name a
few. This findings have been published in a book entitled Timeless Healing in which the author argues for
the curative power of belief.
This study shows that any form of prayer is a valid one.
People don't even have to be proffesed or devout believers. In
other words they don't even have to be sincere. They just have to pray.
(source Cristianity Today Inc. Gary
Thomas)
Overall the greatest benefit of
prayer is the total freedom that it brings. As outlined in The Way of a
Pilgrim:
“Pray and think what you will”
Your thoughts will be purified by
prayer. Prayer will give you enlightment of mind; it will remove and drive
away all ill judged thoughts.
“Pray and do what you will”
Your acts will be pleasing to God, and
useful and salutary to yourself. Frequent prayer, whatever it may be about
does not remain fruitless, because in it is the power of grace. “For
whoever shall call on the name of The Lord shall be saved”
(Acts 2:21)
“Pray somehow or other, only pray always and be disturbed by nothing.
Be gay in spirit and peaceful. Prayer will arrange everything and teach
you”.
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