Research and prayer


Today's research shows that the division between science and religion as it exists in the Western medical model is slowly changing. It's happening not only with patients and their expectations, but also with the delivery of their healthcare options.

For example, in a USA Today Weekend poll, 65 percent of the respondents said it was helpful for doctors to discuss spiritual beliefs with them, but only 10 percent of physicians actually do.¹ A pulmonary outpatient study at the University of Pennsylvania said 66 percent agreed a physician's inquiry about spiritual beliefs would strengthen their trust in their doctor, 94 percent of those who said spirituality was important to them wanted their physicians to address their spiritual beliefs.²

Just 11 years ago, only three medical schools had courses on spirituality and health. A decade later, that number had grown to 75. And, at the George Washington University School of Medicine, spirituality is an integral part of the four-year medical school curriculum so students learn to utilize it in their delivery of care.³

"It is critical that we as physicians and healthcare providers listen to all aspects of our patients' lives that can affect their decision-making and their coping skills," writes Christina Puchalski, M.D.⁴Puchalski goes on to write one of the advantages to becoming familiar with a patient/client's spiritual history is that "an understanding of the patient's spirituality is integral to whole patient care."⁵

This all points to a new model -- one that not only has merit in the Western medical paradigm, but in all forms of healthcare. Marilyn Schlitz, Ph.D, vice president for research and education at the Institute of Noetic Sciences and senior scientist at the Complementary Medicine Research Institute at California Pacific Medical Center, says there is no question spirituality is being integrated into Western medicine at this point. Noting both the increasing number of spirituality and health centers across the country and the objective health outcome studies being undertaken, Schlitz says there is cause for the model to change. "Our feeling of well-being is tied in with our spirit, our sense of connection to a greater whole," she says. "(Then) what," she asks, "is the nature of medical practice if it doesn't include the consciousness, soul and spirit of medical practitioners themselves?"

Prayeris the act of attempting to communicate with a deity or spirit. Purposes for this may include worshipping, requesting guidance, requesting assistance, confessing sins, as an act of reparation or to express one's thoughts and emotions. The words of the prayer may take the form of intercession, a hymn, incantation or a spontaneous utterance in the person's praying words. Secularly, the term can also be used as an alternative to "hope". Praying can be done in public, as a group, or in private. Most major religions in the world involve prayer in one way or another.

The efficacy of prayer as a petition to a deity is usually evaluated with regard to the concept of prayer healing. There have been numerous studies done, with contradictory results. There has been some criticism of the way the studies were conducted.

Prayer

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.



Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

Click on the link below to view a on line video from Oprah.com reguarding prayer and healing