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.
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)
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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