DANIELA BAYER - Did you know that prayer can help?

By DANIELA BAYER

Engaging in a prayer is a common practice in times of illness.

A national survey with 23,000 adults in the United States revealed that 9 in 10 adults participate in some form of spiritual practice. Prayer is the most universally practiced spiritual behavior, and it is much more established in the U.S. than most industrialized nations.

A prayer is not only a mechanism for connecting with the divine – it is also a powerful tool for the purpose of self-examination. And for 50 percent of adults, it is common to pray on behalf of someone's difficulties or request the prayers of others during times of high stress. A petitionary prayer brings people together who form a social support system for those in difficult personal circumstances. Engaging in a prayer is beneficial for mental health as it helps to cope, have hope, and even manage pain and prevent depression. Studies have documented a dynamic relationship between prayer and positive health outcomes, where individuals experienced positive emotions and felt motivated to adopt healthy beliefs and make positive and lasting lifestyle changes. In their spiritual practice, people found a source of strength, resilience, and inspiration.

Prayer as a behavioral strategy is used to assess situations and evaluate the resources available for dealing with the situations. In health and healing practice, a prayer becomes both a remedy and an escape from a situation. Praying to a higher power is used to influence an outcome, accept reality, or distract thoughts. Research conducted in different parts of the world reached the same conclusions – religious and spiritual practices, including prayer, meditation, and worship, have been found to stimulate positive emotions like love, hope, faith and forgiveness.

Prayer is not reserved only for the religious person. Nonreligious people also use prayer during times of high stress or illness. Instead of hoping that something would take the bad situation away, the most frequently endorsed strategy is about applying the power of belief to help make sense of a situation. This approach typically leads to greater peace of mind, sense of harmony, comfort, self-fulfillment, resilience, and relief from suffering by being able to rise above the challenge. Holistic health care integrates the physical, emotional, social and spiritual realms, recognizing their significance and contribution within the system of medicine. The realm of spirituality is multidimensional, where a prayer is an expression of our desire and ability to transcend the self and connect with something or someone else. This process may or may not involve religious beliefs. Something greater than the self may be a life force, a higher power, beauty, nature, a god or something beyond the physical universe. The choice comes down to personal preference and understanding. Prayer is just one of the tools in the toolbox of this contemplative and mindful practice.

There is a scientific component to this exploration as well. Neuroscientific research studies provide evidence that demonstrates the plasticity of the human brain and shows that the brain maintains tremendous capacity for change throughout its lifetime. The brain is able to learn and transform its own structure – by design. With the use of sophisticated technology, we are able to observe and measure neuroplasticity produced by intentional and mindful practice. The brain is resilient, malleable, and responsive to experience, including the experience of prayer, positive affirmation, and spiritual practice in general.

This is powerful.

Be well!

Dr. Daniela Bayer, PhD is a consulting psychologist, behavioral coach, and a contributing writer for The Laconia Daily Sun. Have a question or need additional information? Call Dr. Bayer toll-free at 1 (888) DrBAYER, or 1 (888) 372-2937.