Science of Prayer

The Science of Prayer

The science of prayer is a field of study that aims to understand the psychological and physiological effects of prayer on individuals and communities. Prayer is a form of communication with a higher power or divine being, and is practiced by individuals of various religions and spiritual beliefs.

Research on the science of prayer has found that prayer can have positive effects on both physical and mental health. For example, a 2015 study published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine found that prayer was associated with reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety in a sample of breast cancer survivors. Another study published in the Journal of Religion and Health found that prayer was associated with reduced blood pressure and heart rate in a sample of patients with cardiovascular disease.

A prayer is a mental or verbal request for help or an expression of thanks addressed to God or an object of worship. On a base level, we can say a prayer is a thought-wave. It can come in many forms such as: giving thanks (thank you for my health), making an intention (I pray for good things to come my way), or asking for help (I pray for strength to help my through this tough time).

🙏“A prayer that is strong and deep will definitely receive God’s answer....By the application of science in religion, your uncertain belief in spiritual possibilities can become realization of their highest fulfillment.” - Paramahansa Yogananda

The exact mechanisms by which prayer affects health are not yet fully understood, but it is thought that prayer may help reduce stress, promote relaxation, and enhance feelings of hope and optimism. Additionally, prayer has been shown to activate certain areas of the brain associated with reward and positive emotion, suggesting that it may have a similar effect to other positive activities such as exercise or listening to music.

It is important to note that research on the science of prayer is still in its early stages, and there are many questions that remain unanswered. For example, it is not clear how different types of prayer (e.g., intercessory prayer vs. personal prayer) may affect health outcomes, or how the cultural and religious context in which prayer is practiced may influence its effects. Additionally, while prayer can be a powerful tool for promoting health and well-being, it should not be seen as a substitute for medical treatment for physical or mental health conditions.

Overall, the science of prayer suggests that prayer may have positive effects on both physical and mental health, and is an important area of study for understanding the relationship between spirituality and health.

The Power of Faith

There are thousands of studies purporting to show a link between some aspect of religion – such as attending church or praying – and better health. Religion has been associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease, stroke, blood pressure and metabolic disorders, better immune functioning, improved outcomes for infections such as HIV and meningitis, and lower risk of developing cancer.

In a study of 50 people with advanced lung cancer, those judged by their doctors to have high “spiritual faith” responded better to chemotherapy and survived longer. Over 40 per cent were still alive after three years, compared with less than 10 per cent of those judged to have little faith (In Vivo, vol 22, p 577). Are your hackles rising? Of all the research into the healing potential of thoughts and beliefs, studies into the effects of religion are the most controversial.

There are many critics to these types of studies who find the data unwholesome. Even if the link between religion and better health is genuine, there is no need to invoke divine intervention to explain it. Some researchers attribute it to the placebo effect – trusting that some deity or other will heal you may be just as effective as belief in a drug or doctor (Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, vol 366, p 1838). Others, like Paolo Lissoni of San Gerardo Hospital in Milan, Italy, who did the lung-cancer study mentioned above, believe that the positive emotions associated with “spirituality” promote beneficial physiological responses.

Why is Meditation & Prayer important to Chesed Torah?

Meditation, or "hitbodedut" in Hebrew, and Prayer, or "tefillah" in Hebrew, are forms of contemplative practice that involves focusing one's mind and heart on God, and seeking to deepen one's connection to the divine.

The Jewish tradition also includes practices such as studying Torah, reflecting on the teachings of Jewish sages and scholars, and engaging in personal reflection and introspection as a way of deepening one's spiritual awareness and connection to God.

Meditation or contemplation is seen as an important spiritual practice in Judaism because it involves cultivating a sense of mindfulness and awareness, and seeking to develop a deeper understanding of oneself and one's relationship to God and the world. It is also seen as a way of enhancing one's spiritual growth and development, and of connecting with the divine in a more profound and meaningful way.

Overall, while meditation may not be emphasized as a specific practice in Torah, the Jewish tradition includes many related practices that involve contemplation, reflection, and mindfulness. These practices are seen as important ways of deepening one's spiritual awareness and connection to God, and of living a more meaningful and fulfilling life.