The Effects Of Faith And Prayer example essay topic

The Effects of Faith and Prayer Until recently, the effects of prayer were just a myth. However, science has decided to take a closer look at this national phenomenon, and study just how much does faith and prayer effect the healing of the body and mind. For most believers there are no doubts that peace of mind can be traced directly to the effects of prayer. All the trials and tribulations associated with everyday life are somehow transformed through faith; consider the words of Paul: "Gods peace, which is far beyond understanding, will keep your mind safe in union with Christ Jesus" (Holy Bible, Phil. 4.7).

If a person subscribes to this sound doctrine, life will not only become easier to bear, it will become a playground for fulfilling many hopes and dreams. Dr. Charles T. Kaelber reported in his article "Link Between Depression and Spirituality" that depression is less common in people who are actively involved in religious activities (4). Because of the instant results that have been associated with prayer, some people have gone as far as praying while driving, praying in the bathroom at work, even praying right in the middle of distress. Most have acknowledged that they felt instant relief just by saying one or two words. Experts have stated with overwhelming evidence that people who prayed were most likely to maintain a well balanced attitude towards life, and have a renewed since of strength, while constantly reaping all the other benefits that are promised through Gods word. Another effect of faith and prayer can be seen through the miraculous recovery of those who are ill.

Georgetown University Medical Professor Dale Matthews says: "Scientific study show that religious involvement helps people prevent illness, recover from illness, and remarkably live longer. The more religiously committed you are, the more likely you are to benefit" (1). There are documented occurrences that show people who were diagnosed with a life threatening illness, somehow recover with no trace of the disease, while leaving doctors completely baffled. Studies have also shown that patients who were diagnosed with AIDS had better immune systems when they engaged in some form of religious activity that included prayer.

A healthy lifestyle can become overwhelming, especially when the disparity of life becomes more evident with each passing day, which often causes people to turn to substances for comfort. Yet Professor Abdul Majid notes nicotine, alcohol, and drug use, suicide attempts; high risk sexual activity is less common among religious persons. Persons of faith are usually able to cope with the stress of social change and have a strong foundation that allows them to enjoy the beauty of life (3). Because the world is in such turmoil the need for spiritual fulfillment has reached an all time high. The public is bombarded with television and radio formats that advocate faith. People are looking for something else to believe in, other than, what this world has to offer, which can only be obtained through faith and prayer.

Therefore, it is not unreasonable to believe one can not be obtained without the other.

Bibliography

Good News Bible: Today's English Version. Thomas Nelson Inc. 1976 Lap mann, Jane.
A Frontier of Medical Research: Prayer" The Christian Science Monitor. 25 Mar. 1998.