prayer Archives - Health, Faith, Fitness, Backed by Evidence.

Faith: Prayer & Your Health, Part 2

silhouette of kneeling man — Image credit: Aaron Burden

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.”
Proverbs 4: 20-22

Is it possible that the act of prayer has impacts on your mental and physical health? Is our physical body naturally wired to have a spiritual side? Does following the teachings of the scriptures not only benefit us spiritually, but have health implications as well? What are the health benefits of prayer–if any? What does the research say?

In part 1, I explored the concept of prayer from a scriptural perspective. Scriptural concepts explaining why some prayers are answered and others are not were explored. In this post, research-backed evidence is examined concerning the health benefits of prayer.

Prayer frequency and self-ratings of health

The research linking prayer and health is interesting, though confounding factors have to be considered. For example, it is believed that prayer is more frequent and common for people when their health is failing (Mesenhelder & Chandler, 2001). This makes sense. If you are diagnosed with a serious health condition, fear and uncertainty can definitely drive you to pray. As such, prayer frequency might be expected to be correlated with worse health outcomes as opposed to better health outcomes.

However, researchers Meisenhelder and Chandler (2001) surprisingly found the opposite to be true. In a group of 1,412 Presbyterian pastors aged 26-80, those that prayed the most frequently (2 or more times per day) rated their health significantly higher (even when controlled for demographic variables such as age and gender) than those that prayed less frequently in three separate rating scales:

General health
Vitality
Mental health

A homogeneous (meaning persons with similar characteristics) sample group was purposefully chosen so as to reduce confounding factors. In other words, the self-perceived superior health ratings can not be attributed to differences in religious beliefs or practices. Instead, with many factors in common, the difference in prayer frequency appears to be the differing factor.

gray praying hand statue — In otherwise similar groups, increased prayer frequency was linked to superior self-ratings of health and vitality (Image credit: Deb Dowd)

Prayer and health outcomes: Interesting research findings

In a study of 177 participants undergoing open heart surgery, both the use of prayer by the patient, or the patient having a secular reverence for art and nature were significantly linked to lower rates of post-operative complications. The use of prayer was linked to a 53% reduction in post-op complications, while those who practiced secular reverence had a 30% reduction in post-op complications. Researchers concluded that the spiritual emotion of a positive awe or wonder (as opposed to a fearful awe or wonder) promotes greater physical recovery (Ai, A. L., Wink, Tice, Bolling, Shearer, 2009)
A shocking double-blinded study of 393 participants admitted to a coronary unit who were followed for a period of 10 months evaluated an intervention group of 192 patients that were prayed for by a Christian prayer-group meeting outside the hospital (intercessory prayer–or prayer for the health of others) (Byrd, 1988 as cited in McCullough, 1995). The remaining patients did not receive the prayer intervention. Neither the patients, study author, nor the medical staff knew which patients were in the intervention or control group. Twenty-six health measures were utilized, and no significant differences were noted PRIOR to the intervention of prayer between the two groups. Following the prayer intervention and the 10 months that followed, the group of patients for whom the Christians prayed for experienced significantly lower rates of congestive heart failure, heart attacks, pneumonia, need for medications such as diuretics and antibiotics, and need for ventilation support! However…
It must be noted that a systematic review of 10 studies conducted by the respected Cochrane review team regarding intercessory prayer (where people pray on behalf of others who are sick) showed no significant benefits from intercessory prayer in terms of rates of death, medical status, re-hospitalization, or negative outcomes (Roberts, Ahmed, Hall, & Davison, 2009)
In a review of 11 studies examining the practice of private prayer and health, 9 of 11 studies found a significant reduction in rates of depression for those that routinely practiced private prayer (Anderson & Nunnelley, 2016). In 10 studies reviewed by the same researchers, prayer significantly improved anxiety symptoms. Interestingly, prayer frequency did not appear to impact physical health in terms of blood pressure or health ratings in the studies reviewed by the researchers
A study of 2,601 participants found that neither attendance at worship services alone, nor private prayer alone protected mental health as life stressors increased. However, when the two were combined (frequent private prayer AND regular worship service attendance), mental health was significantly buffered and protected against increased stressful life events. Even if the participants were negatively impacted by stressful life events, mental health declined at significantly lower rates for participants that frequently prayed privately AND frequently attended worship services versus those who did not both pray frequently AND attend worship services frequently (Rainville, 2018)

yellow leaf tree between calm body of water at daytime — A sense of awe for nature and God combined with prayer or reflection may produce an emotional state where physical healing is enhanced (Image credit: Faye Cornish)

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10: 24-25, NKJV

How you pray/ what you pray for impacts your mental health

An interesting concept found in the research links how you pray/ what you pray for to mental health outcomes. Specifically, researchers have found that the following regarding prayer types and mental health outcomes:

Helpful prayer types per research:

Meditative prayers focusing on feeling the presence of God and listening for answers from God are associated with a positive sense of well-being, a sense of strength, and happiness. Additional benefits include reductions in rates of anger, anxiety, and depression
Colloquial prayers (defined by the researchers as talking to God as well as asking Him for guidance using your own words) are associated with improved sense of well-being, an increased sense of happiness, with reductions in symptom rates of anxiety and depression
Disclosure to God: meditative and colloquial prayers were found to involve greater sharing of thoughts, feelings, and experiences with God. Higher rates of disclosure to God were found to be linked to significantly higher ratings of positive mood states (less anger and tension) and improved mental health (Winkeljohn Black, Pössel, Rosmarin, Tariq, & Jeppsen, 2017)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1: 9, KJV

Mixed or even negative types of prayer per research:

Petitionary prayers (defined by the researchers as requests for material benefits) appear to either have no effect on anxiety or depression, or in some cases, appear to be associated with greater anxiety and depression rates
Ritual prayers where people simply recite memorized lines or read pre-written prayers from books appeared to have mixed results in terms of depression and anxiety symptoms. Further, ritual prayer appeared to have little impact on sense of strength or in reducing anger (Winkeljohn et al., 2017)

Your view of God’s character + prayer frequency impacts your mental health

Prayer frequency, beliefs about the nature of God, and anxiety measures were examined for 1,714 study participants. Prayer by itself, or when combined with a belief in an impersonal, non-caring God, or belief in a God that sometimes cares but sometimes is indifferent, had no significant impact on anxiety measures. Also belief in a personal, responsive caring God in absence of frequent prayer had no significant impact on anxiety measures. But when combining a belief in a caring, responsive God with frequent prayer, participants had lower rates of general anxiety, social anxiety, obsessive patterns, and compulsive patterns (Ellison, Bradshaw, Flannelly, & Galek, 2014)

shallow focus photography of white feather dropping in person's hand — A belief in a personal, caring God combined with frequent prayers using your own words improves mental health measures (Image credit: Javardh)

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
Isaiah 54: 10, NIV

Summary

The study of prayer is complex. The above studies focused on prayer generally from a Christian perspective. The research supporting the benefits of prayer seems to be strongest in terms of supporting mental health–producing an enhanced sense of well-being, decreasing anxiety, and acting as a buffer against life stress/ promoting resilience. However, how a person views God (personal and close versus distant and disinterested), how frequently they pray, how they pray, and how often they attend worship services all seem to enhance or undermine the impacts of prayer on mental health.

Based on the above evidence, the most health promoting aspects of prayer can be realized through the following means:

Having a belief in a loving, caring, personal God
Frequent prayer using your own thoughts and words, believing God is listening to you, disclosing your own worries, and confessing/ disclosing concerns while asking for guidance, or by meditating on God’s presence/ answers
Having a positive sense of awe for God and His beautiful creation (such as an awe for the beauty of nature) during prayer may positively impact emotions that can promote physical healing/ stress reduction

The research concerning the power of prayer for helping someone else recover where the person being prayed for is unaware is mixed to negligible at best. Individual studies have had profound findings, but the findings have not held up consistently when the research is repeated at different times or circumstances. This is not particularly surprising for a believer in the scriptures. In part 1, I reviewed the many caveats the scriptures themselves place on prayer.

Finally, research on prayer and physiologic factors such as heart rate variability and brain imaging is currently limited/ unavailable. These are areas for future exploration. The research at this time appears to support the scriptural perspectives of belief in a loving God, the importance of genuine (as opposed to ritualistic) prayer, and collaborative worship as a means of supporting mental health and well-being.

Internal links:

Faith: Prayer & Your Health, Part 1

Stress, Science, & Scriptures

External link:

NPR article: Prayer May Reshape Your Brain … And Your Reality

References

Ai, A. L., Wink, P., Tice, T. N., Bolling, S. F., Shearer, M. (2009). Prayer and reverence in naturalistic, aesthetic, and socio-moral contexts predicted fewer complications following coronary artery bypass. Journal of Behavioral Medicine. DOI 10.1007/s10865-009-9228-1

Anderson, J. W., & Nunnelley, P. A. (2016). Private prayer associations with depression, anxiety and other health conditions: an analytical review of clinical studies [Abstract]. Postgraduate medicine, 128(7), 635–641. https://doi.org/10.1080/00325481.2016.1209962

Ellison, C. G., Bradshaw, M., Flannelly, K. J., & Galek, K. C. (2014). Prayer, Attachment to God, and Symptoms of Anxiety-Related Disorders among U.S. Adults. Sociology of Religion, 75(2), 208–233. https://doi-org.lopesalum.idm.oclc.org/10.1093/socrel/srt079

McCullough, M. E. (1995). Prayer and Health: Conceptual Issues, Research Review, and Research Agenda. Journal of Psychology & Theology, 23(1), 15–29.

Meisenhelder, J. B., & Chandler, E. N. (2001). Frequency of Prayer and Functional Health in Presbyterian Pastors. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 40(2), 323–329. https://doi-org.lopesalum.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/0021-8294.00059

Rainville, G. (2018). The Interrelation of Prayer and Worship Service Attendance in Moderating the Negative Impact of Life Event Stressors on Mental Well-Being. Journal of Religion & Health, 57(6), 2153–2166. https://doi-org.lopesalum.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s10943-017-0494-x

Roberts, L., Ahmed, I., Hall, S., & Davison, A. (2009). Intercessory prayer for the alleviation of ill health. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2009(2), CD000368. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000368.pub3

Winkeljohn Black, S., Pössel, P., Rosmarin, D. H., Tariq, A., & Jeppsen, B. D. (2017). Prayer Type, Disclosure, and Mental Health Across Religious Groups. Counseling & Values, 62(2), 216–234. https://doi-org.lopesalum.idm.oclc.org/10.1002/cvj.12060

Faith: Prayer & Your Health, Part 1

Faith, Health, and Evidence

(Image credit: eberhard grossgasteiger at Pexels)

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thess 5: 16-18, NKJV

Is prayer a waste of time? In a culture that increasingly embraces atheism and nihilism, is prayer an outdated relic, left over from prior ages of superstition? Or are we wired deeply within our very creation as spiritual beings? Are there measurable benefits to our health related to the very act of prayer? What do the scriptures say about prayer?

If God is real, and if the scriptures are His method of communicating to us, a person might reasonably expect the principles found in the scriptures to prove beneficial somehow in our lives. Scripture perspectives on prayer, as well as the impact of prayer on our mental and physical health as noted in the research are explored in this series. The first part of this series will explore what the scriptures teach us regarding prayer.

What does the Bible say about prayer?

Is God a cosmic vending machine, a sky-genie ready to bestow all your pleasures based on a simple ask? As a kid I asked for a room full of bubble-gum–didn’t happen. That prayer was stupid, but some prayers that are perfectly reasonable also go seemingly unanswered. If God is real, why does He not always answer our prayers…is there more to it?

A sincere relationship with God is essential

For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” How then shall they call upon him in whom they did not believe? and how shall they believe on him of whom they did not hear? and how shall they hear apart from one preaching?“
Roman 10: 13-14, Young’s Literal Translation

How can you call on a God that you do not believe in, and how can you believe in God unless you hear about Him–His characteristics and teachings, who He is and what He expects from you? Is it not a bit empty to approach a God you do not know, and only when things go wrong in your life?

Is God a great cosmic vending machine in the sky, or is there something more to prayer? (Image credit: Aleksandar Pasaric at Pexels)

Or, to only approach Him when you want a quick and sudden fix? Is it not empty to live a life of disobedience and disinterest with God, then suddenly to petition Him when you want something? God is not mocked.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”
Galatians 6: 7-8, NKJV

A solid faith in God built on sincere seeking is required

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”
Hebrews 11: 1-3, NKJV

We are not asked to have a blind faith. In fact, faith is to be built on evidence. The scriptures tell us that the evidence for a God can be found manifested within His created world. There are many modern scientists and historic scientists for whom science serves to unravel mysteries of a higher law, purpose, and power. In fact, there is a 27-page (and growing) list of modern scientists who reject the notion of a naturalistic, Darwinian process for explaining the complexities in life forms. Our faith must be built on diligent seeking:

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Hebrews 11: 6, NKJV

To approach God you must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Image credit: Pixabay at Pexels)

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
James 1: 5-8, NKJV

Our sins place a barrier between us and God

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened,
That it cannot save;
Nor His ear heavy,
That it cannot hear.
But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
And your sins have hidden His face from you,
So that He will not hear.
For your hands are defiled with blood,
And your fingers with iniquity;
Your lips have spoken lies,
Your tongue has muttered perversity.”
Isaiah 59: 1-3, NKJV

We are to humble ourselves and turn from our sins when approaching God

if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2 Chron 7: 14, NKJV

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
James 4: 8-10, NKJV

man standing on black rock formation during daytime — Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord (Image credit: Nuno Silva)

Prayers are to be given with a submission to His will

Going back to confronting the “sky-genie” approach, the scriptures are clear that prayer requests are granted to those of a humble heart, who approach God in sincerity and faith, and prayers are granted in accordance to God’s will–not necessarily ours. Sometimes, our desires are knowingly or unknowingly in opposition to God…if granted, such desires may result in more harm than good in our spiritual journey during this limited life.

…Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?
James 4: 2-5, NKJV

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”
1 John 5: 14-15

Accepting His will means sometimes, the answer is “no.”

Many people grow angry at God or give up their belief in God when God does not answer their prayers in accordance with their wishes. A humble believer must recognize that even Christ and Paul were denied some of their requests. The scriptures are clear that suffering and death are components of this life. Christ himself pleaded the night before his crucifixion for another way, a way aside from the torture he was about to endure.

…and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.” He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
Mark 14: 33-36, NKJV

Paul, a writer of numerous books in the Bible and one of the greatest messengers of God who ever lived, was denied three prayer requests concerning a “thorn in the flesh…,” a suffering he had to endure. Paul acknowledges his prayer request was denied, but noted that the suffering served to strengthen his resolve and reliance on God.

and that by the exceeding greatness of the revelations I might not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of the Adversary, that he might buffet me, that I might not be exalted overmuch. Concerning this thing thrice the Lord did I call upon, that it might depart from me, and He said to me, ‘Sufficient for thee is My grace, for My power in infirmity is perfected;’ most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of the Christ may rest on me: wherefore I am well pleased in infirmities, in damages, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses — for Christ; for whenever I am infirm, then I am powerful;”
2 Cor 12: 7-10, Young’s Literal Translation

white concrete statue during daytime — Prayer and faith do not guarantee a life free of suffering, such principles are not founded in the scriptures (Image credit: Wesley Tingey)

We are to approach God with a spirit of gratitude

Paul is a great example of resilience despite the circumstances of his life. Recounting his sufferings, he states:

From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?“
2 Cor 11: 24-29, NKJV

Yet, in spite of his hardships, he instructs us:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Philip 4: 6-7, NKJV

What the Lord’s prayer teaches us about praying

The Lord’s prayer as presented by Christ serves as a model for our own prayer. Not that we need to repeat this prayer word for word, but rather, it demonstrates the mindset with which we are to approach God when we make our petitions to him. As recorded in the book of Matthew:

And — praying — ye may not use vain repetitions like the nations, for they think that in their much speaking they shall be heard, be ye not therefore like to them, for your Father doth know those things that ye have need of before your asking him; thus therefore pray ye:

‘Our Father who [art] in the heavens! hallowed be Thy name. ‘Thy reign come: Thy will come to pass, as in heaven also on the earth. ‘Our appointed bread give us to-day. ‘And forgive us our debts, as also we forgive our debtors. ‘And mayest Thou not lead us to temptation, but deliver us from the evil, because Thine is the reign, and the power, and the glory — to the ages. Amen. ‘For, if ye may forgive men their trespasses He also will forgive you — your Father who in the heavens; but if ye may not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6: 7-15, Young’s Literal Translation

Christ’s attitude towards God was one of deference, worship, and respect. This attitude played out in his life on earth. In his prayer, Christ acknowledges God’s rule, God’s promise of a kingdom to come, and acknowledges His will as supreme. The prayer requests our daily needs be met, while with humility, requests forgiveness. It fosters a spirit of grace within us, that we forgive others just like we want forgiveness. Finally, we are to acknowledge our own fallibility, acknowledging that we are tempted, and we pray for deliverance from these temptations.