Frequent prayer, whether in public or private, is associated with better health and emotional well-being, and less psychological distress. Researchers have found this to be true regardless of a person’s ethnic or religious background. Prayer is a powerful well-being booster. It connects us to the Almighty. Prayer is a time when we talk to God as a friend. We can share our joys, our struggles, and our prayer requests. But prayer is much more than just making prayer requests. Connecting with God affects our lives. Prayer is a powerful way to trust God. He loves us unconditionally and wants to help us with our concerns, big and small.
Prayer also has a positive effect when we thank God. Gratitude has many good qualities.
Moments of devotion
A personal daily devotional time with God promotes well-being. It is time spent in honest communication with God, and that time has a healing power. Just as time spent with a good friend has a healing effect, so too does time spent with God. Prayer, Bible study, and spending time meditating and praising God are ways of communicating with God that bless us richly. The healing effect is not only physical, but also emotional.
The power of fellowship
Attending religious services is one of the most common ways to strengthen your relationship with God. It also has positive effects on your health and personal well-being. One study found that attending religious services can increase the average lifespan of white people by seven years and black people by fourteen years. Another study of 100,000 people at Johns Hopkins University found that weekly religious service reduced the likelihood of dying in the following year by almost 501%.
One group of researchers found that adults who attended church weekly were more likely to change and maintain their health behaviors than those who did not. The researchers also found that attending church services was associated with significantly less smoking, more physical activity, reduced depression, more friendships, and longer, healthier marriages.
When we worship, pray, and study the Bible with people we trust, we experience social support. Often people don’t have friends outside of church, family is scattered around the world, people move, and families break up, so connection with others is very important. Fellowship has a positive impact on our well-being.,
What next?
The science is on its side and it is quite clear: religious beliefs, trust in God, and spiritual practice can have a very positive and powerful effect on our health. Why not explore further to learn more about God, His Word, His promises, and His will!
Source: “CREATION Life”
“CREATION Life” is a way of thinking that sees the person as a whole. This way of thinking is designed to prevent disease and to help people live fuller and more abundant lives at all ages. “CREATION Life” is based on the Bible’s creation story and is the foundation of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s health ministry. “CREATION Life” is an institution Adventist Health owned trademark.
