Prayer and Good Health

For the last decade or so medical researchers have increasingly considered whether prayer has an effect on people’s physical health.  The clear conclusion from a number of studies, conducted by universities, medical schools, government agencies and professional journals across the country, is yes. The regular practice of prayer can have positive benefits for our physical health. Here’s a sampling of the findings.

Hypertension

                According the Center for Disease Control hypertension is one of the United State's most serious public health issues. One third of US adults (approximately 70 million) have high blood pressure. And, another third are prehypertensive, that is they have elevated blood pressure.  It is estimated that hypertension costs $46 billion a year for medication, health care and days missed from work.

                A study funded by the National Institutes of Health showed that people who prayed daily were 40 percent less likely to have high blood pressure than those who did not.

Depression and Anxiety

                “Major depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States,” says a report from the National Institute of Mental Health. “In 2012, an estimated 16 million adults aged 18 or older in the U.S. had at least one major depressive episode.” That works out the 6.9 percent of American adults.

                Anxiety affects even more people. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America states that “anxiety disorders are the most common mental health illness in the US affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older (18% of the US population).”

                Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard Medical School said that studies showed that during prayer “the body’s metabolism decreases, the heart rate slows, blood pressure goes down and our breath becomes calmer and more regular.” This, Benson said, “correlates with slower brain waves, and feelings of control, tranquil alertness and peace of mind.” That is, people who pray regularly tend to suffer less from depression and anxiety.

                And, the reverse is also true. People who pray are not just less depressed, they are happier. A study at the University of Pennsylvania showed that “prayer increased levels of dopamine, which is associated with states of well-being and joy.”

Quicker Recoveries

                Researchers at Dartmouth medical school found that people with “religious belief were three times more likely to recover from heart surgery.” Separate studies at Duke and Yale concluded that heart patients who did not pray regularly were 14 times more likely to die following surgery.

General Good Health and Longer Lives

                In 2011 a University of Cincinnati study of inner city youths with asthma showed that those with a regular practice of prayer “experienced fewer and less severe symptoms than those who did not.” And, a survey conducted by The Journal of Gerontology of 4,000 seniors in Durham, NC concluded that people who prayed regularly "coped better with illness in general and lived longer lives than those who did not."

            The results of these studies are not surprising. God created people as beings that are both physical and spiritual. Our wisest and best course is to care for our bodies and our spirits. Solomon had it right when he wrote:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
  in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

  Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and shun evil.
  This will bring health to your body
    and nourishment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8)

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