The Powerful Healing Qualities of Prayer
Worship is a Strong and Therapeutic Tool
It has been said that if meditation is listening to God, then prayer is talking to God. God can be defined as the infinite spirit that has no ending or beginning, that is of no fixed concept and although it is translated to mean certain things by religion, it still remains constant in its values. "Prayer always has an effect even if it is not the effect we desire.” (Alexis Carrel)
Finding the Higher Power
In the Twelve Step Program of Alcoholics Anonymous, God is looked upon as a Higher Power, and for each person it may hold a different meaning, but in acknowledging there is a Higher Power, it affirms that there is a notion of something bigger than the individual.
The first three steps of the twelve step program, which is designed to assist people in recovery from alcohol and other drug abuse:
- An acknowledgment of being powerless over an addiction
- Knowing of a power that is higher or greater than "me"
- Surrendering to that Higher Power.
The Twelve Step Programs, according to statistics, is the most successful program in helping people to retain their recovery from alcohol, drugs or other addiction.
Many Uses of Prayers
Prayer can be seen as a way of showing gratitude. In being grateful, there is a relief from anxiety and a rest from pursuing and achieving. Gratitude carves out a ledge on the mountain, where the exact layout of the land ahead can be viewed.
- Prayer is useful in times of grief, as a solace to help move through the sadness that loss brings.
- Prayer can help mend bridges between people, where arguments and bad feelings have occurred.
- Prayer helps where courage and strength are needed.
- Prayer is a vehicle for change to occur.
- Prayer is a reminder of the fragility and preciousness of life.
- Prayer transforms the mundane into beauty.
In Judaism, there is a prayer that is recited at the time of awakening. It is a reminder that “I am here, I have returned from sleeping and am grateful.” Even in the midst of turmoil, one moment of solace can give a little hope and even change an outcome.
Feeding the Soul and Nourishing the Spirit
Scientists have tried to find evidence of the soul, and after doing post-mortem exams on corpses they have found no trace of anything alive. Under quantum physics, though, "the soul is not tangible, physical or solid. You cannot just reach out and touch the soul. Yet the soul as an animating principle in the universe is ultimately more important than anything that is physical or tangible.” (Dr Fred Alan Wolf)
It is said within mystical teachings that the soul is the spark of God that resides within all living animals. It is the divine light that brings beauty and harmony into the physical world.
Prayer feeds the soul which nourishes the spirit and brings the light into darkness. As well as caring for the body, and “in order to live a full and rich life, we also need to pay attention to our spirits, to look after our souls. Pray, meditate, spend a few moments each day paying attention to the divine spark inside so that it continues to glow, shine and radiate goodness within you and through you.” (Rabbi Jacqueline Ninio)
Sources:
- All about Prayer, Peter Potter (1998).
The Uplifting Essence of Prayer
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