The Importance of Prayer
by Raymond Warren Bennett on 08/29/12For the devout, there has never been any question that prayer has the power to heal. Research and medical studies have shown that prayer has prevented some people from ever getting sick, while others, who had become ill, recuperated faster because of their faith and belief in prayer. Dr. Koening, director of Duke's Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health, says a striking study published in the Southern Medical Journal last year demonstrated that prayer has a remarkable effect on patients with hearing and visual deficiencies. After prayer sessions, "They showed significant improvements based on audio and visual test", Koening states.
Additional studies have also shown that people involved in a faith community or religious commitment cope better with stress and experience greater well-being. Through the presence of faith and prayer, these people have been able to be more tolerant, optimistic and experience less anxiety or depression. They have proven to have stronger immune systems, lower blood pressure, and in general have a much better outlook on life. Prayer has the ability to strengthen our mental, physical and spiritual health. Prayer also gives us the opportunity to speak directly with God and receive His peace and blessings in return.
Jesus gave us the Lord's Prayer as a model prayer, and Jesus himself often went off to pray, setting an example for us to do the same. The Lord has given each and everyone of us so many gifts to enjoy while here on earth, including the one of prayer. In the midst of our busy lives, we need to find time to reflect on the importance of prayer, and the acceptance that prayer grounds us, centers us and blesses us. This heavenly provision is truly a gift from God . . . and perhaps one of His most valuable, for prayer can create strength, provide assistance in our hour of need, and heal when all else fails. In this day of advanced communication devices, prayer still remains the number one most effective and powerful implement of them all . . . so pick up a prayer today and talk to God - He would love to hear from you.
