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Studies show that people who are involved in a church, synagogue, or other place of worship enjoy spiritual and emotional benefits. Some of it seems to have to do with fulfilling a need we all have to feel connected to a group. There's a nurturing feeling that comes from belonging to a community, which religious organizations have been shown to provide.
Psychologists often recommend that people who feel disconnected, lost, or like something's missing from their lives, to attend a worship service or religious-based activity to help them regain a sense of purpose and fullness.
Some of the most intersting research regarding the health benefits of prayer have come from scientists who are looking at how prayer plays a role in healing people who are sick.
Much of the research has focused on how sick people are affected by their own spiritual beliefs, and those studies seem to show that those who have a strong sense of faith heal faster and cope with illness in a more positive, productive way than those who are not spirtually connected.
There's some recent research being done that takes this idea a step further by looking to find out if we can help people we don't know by praying for their health---even if they don't know about our prayers! A controversial study involving heart patients at S. Luke's Hospital in Missouri seems to show it helps!
A medical team examined nearly 1,000 newly-admitted heart patients with serious conditions. Half of them received daily prayers for a speedy recovery with no complications for a month from Christian volunteers who believed in God and the power of prayer. The other half of the patients did not receive prayer as part of the study.
None of the patients knew about the prayer or which group they were in. The volunteers only knew the first names of those involved and that they were heart patients.
The medical team used a long list of common heart-related problems to judge the overall health of the patients before and after the prayer, includeing chest pains, infection, pneumonia and death. The team found the group receiving daily prayers ended up 11% better than the group who didn't.
The doctor behind the study says his findings validate the need for more research in this area to gather more information about the mind-body-spirit connection and the healing power of prayer.
A personal story of faith from jennifer
"When things quieted down a bit after my mom's funeral, I sat at home and prayed. I closed my eyes and told God that I didn't understand why He needed my mother more than I did. I told Him how much I missed her. I needed to know that she was alright, and that she would still be able to be with me in some way. I begged for a sign.
A movie was on in the room at the time, and just as I glanced up, I saw the image of a white feather floating across the TV screen.
The next morning I woke up still thinking about my mother and my prayer request. When I went out to my car, I noticed something stuck in the driver's door. It was a fluffy white feather.
I have been finding them ever since. Spotting the feathers and picking them up has made me smile, and sometimes cry. They seem to show up in unexpected places just when I am wishing for a hug from my mom. I've told my children a lot about the grandma they never got to meet, and the white feathers; and at one time or another each of them has come running to me, smiling and waving a white feather they discovered!"
No, you don't need a lot of words, or fancy words, to ask for strength and comfort, but sometimes beautiful words can fill you with hope. Bishop David Zubik wrote this Prayer for Caregivers especially for you (I introduced it in Take Care Tips).
By Bishop David Zubik
Dear Father in Heaven,
We ask you to bless the caregivers
who tend to the sick,
the infirm,
the elderly,
and the children,
all those who cannot care for themselves.
We pray that you especially bless
those who are caring for family members.
Help all the caregivers to be strong,
patient,
and tender in their ministry.
Lift up their spirits, Lord,
that they may find gladness in their work
and share your joy and peace
with those in their care.
May the healing power of the Holy Spirit
refresh them in mind and body.
Lighten their burdens,
and prepare all of us for that day
when we shall joyfully meet the Great Healer,
Your Son, Jesus Christ. AMEN
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