Power of Prayer As An Alternative Therapy

Prayer means to ask sincerely, to request, and to plead. Scientists define prayer as the ‘communication with the absolute’.

Prayer may be an individual or group prayer, done in private or public. It may be done verbally, silently, through gestures or simply moaning. Prayer can pour out from the subconscious, or show up in dreams, totally oblivious to wake -up consciousness.

Looking at prayer from a scientific angle, it’s the most practiced visualisation technique. When we pray, we often start with a relaxation ritual such as praise worship, going to a house of worship, sitting on a praying mat,  kneeling by the bed. Then we envisage a personal image of God and implore that our requests in the prayers be accepted.

It’s not surprising therefore that many people feel a sense of calmness after praying. Prayer relaxes the mind, makes you feel good, as a matter of fact getting similar benefits as when meditating. But science can’t explain some outstanding research findings which exposes, to some extent, that prayer works and can’t be explained off as mere coincidences.

Scientific proof that prayer works

There is substantial proof that prayer works. Several scientific studies confirmed this opinion.

The most publicised research exposed the impact of intercessory prayer on 393 heart patients.  The patients whose medical care was supported with prayer needed fewer drugs and spent reduced time on ventilators. They also coped better in general when compared to their counterparts who received medical care only.

Even on nonhuman subjects, it was discovered that prayer for rye grass grew taller; prayer for yeast resisted the toxic effects of cyanide; prayer for test-tube bacteria grew faster. 

Nothing seems to block or stop the effects of prayer. For instance, one object in one research was put in a lead-lined room and another object in a cage which blocked it from all known forms of electromagnetic energy; but the effect of prayer still went through.

Experiments also showed that prayer impacted positively high blood pressure, wounds, heart attacks, headaches, and stress.  Closeness or distance didn’t prevent the power of prayer. Prayer can be said for someone far away and still impacts the outcome. Indeed, distance healing is on the increase as the internet is filled with prayer requests on daily prayer chains. There’s uncertainty over how distance prayer works, so in the absence of hard facts, it remains a mystery or a miracle.

The other kind of prayer, in which sick people pray for their own recovery, is far easier for science to explain. Given the proven health benefits of meditation, such as lowering blood pressure, reversing heart disease, it’s easier to understand how prayer, which can be equally meditative and relaxing, could induce the same effects.

In view of the above scientific evidences, many researches accept that concealing prayer from an ill patient is absolutely reckless. Prayer therefore became a moral issue and defined as ‘communication with the absolute.’

Scientific explanation of how prayer works

During prayer, you’re uplifted and calmed which in turn blocks cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine; hormones that flow out of the adrenal glands in response to stress. These hormones released over time can weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of developing a range of illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, peptic ulcers, and inflammatory bowel disorder. Many experts feel that the immune system is fortified and nourished by a sense of peace, which can be transported from one individual to another or used inwardly. The ancient stories of the Bible link healing with faith. So, it makes sense to assume that prayer which provides comfort and peace would impact the tendency for you to fall ill or recover from an illness.

Another scientific investigation shows that prayer can be used as an alternative therapy as successfully as meditation, exercise, or herbalism. Religion houses goers' have lower blood pressure levels than nonbelievers, even after smoking and other known risk factors are taken into consideration. Prayer works because people who pray are less likely to get sick, are more likely to recover from surgery and illness, and are better able to cope with their illnesses than people who don’t pray. 

Many doctors believe that if they prayed with their patients before and after surgery or before giving a course of powerful drugs, prayers might assist in the patient's recovery. Some medical schools in America are now offering courses in faith and medicine.

Benefits of Prayer

Possessing deep personal beliefs and values can benefit your physical and emotional well-being. Find listed below health benefits connected to strong inner vows to moral principles, social values, God, or even oneself.

• Depression, smoking and alcohol abuse decline
• Mothers and babies are in good health
• Lower risk of colon and rectal cancer
• Coping with breast cancer improves
• Emotional balance is better
• Reduced stress, lower BP, stronger heart
• Marriage institution improves

Prayer Methods

In its search for proof, science may never have all the answers about healing and prayer. But if we are ever to appreciate the role of prayer in healing and the relationship between spirituality and health, it’s crucial to be tolerant of vagueness and the unknown. One research on prayer suggests that the way you approach God may predict your ability to recover emotional setbacks such as depression and anxiety. There are 3 religious coping methods:

The submitting method: You place the problem solely at God’s feet. It’s a good response to a situation you don’t have any control over. However, this shouldn’t be a ploy to be complacent or avoid your duties.

The collective method: God is with you side-by-side on this one. You speak to God, listen, consult, and the task for solving a problem is shared. An example is a 55 year old eye patient who has to choose between a risky eye surgery or no surgery and resultant total blindness.  He prayed for guidance to a sympathetic, loving God and decided he wouldn't like darkness for the rest of his life, after enjoying great sight for years. He went for the surgery.

The self- guiding method: You’re in charge. God gave you the resources to solve your problems and now it’s up to you to handle them. These people are not really looking to God for help, either because they just don’t think it’s God's place to solve their problems or because they are sceptical.

Some handy tips on prayer

• Prayer works best on your mind and body when it grows. Praying every day is a good thing, even if sometimes you’re short of words and don’t know what to say.
• Pray selflessly because the force of your actions is too powerful to be focused to yourself. When you also pray for those you care about, you’re firming up the bonds between you.
• As in meditation let the feelings come from inside. Don’t be too conscious. You may discover your prayer moving away from initial thoughts you planned when you started your prayer.
• As time goes on, alter the structure and location of your prayer. Sometimes you  may not have to go to a  church, mosque, synagogue, or shrine; your kitchen or the backyard are perfect places to communicate with   God.  

Is prayer safe as an alternative therapy?

Various people believe prayer can heal physical and mental illness. Some reported cases of medical ‘miracles’ have been credited to the use of prayer. Certain people, subject to their belief in prayer, may go through a feeling of inner power when they pray. 

While specific studies measured the effect of prayer on health benefits, other studies are indecisive. However, prayer is not thought to have negative side effects when joined with conventional medical treatment. Prayer can be used alongside conventional treatment, but not in place of it.

Experts therefore advise that you let your doctor know of any alternative therapy you might be using, or if you’re contemplating joining an alternative therapy with your conventional medical treatment. The bottom line is that it’s unsafe to abandon your conventional medical treatment and depend only on an alternative therapy.

Photo Credit: Creative Commons.