What prayer might actually do

[Deleted member 3000]

For those not offended by the idea that god may not be the source of all benefits from prayer and meditation, here is an abstract on what meditation, likely at least a component of prayer as well, does:

Psychiatry Research
Volume 191, Issue 1, Pages 36-43 (30 January 2011)

Mindfulness practice leads to increases in regional brain gray matter density

Britta K. Hölzelab Corresponding Author Information email address, James Carmodyc, Mark Vangela, Christina Congletona, Sita M. Yerramsettia, Tim Gardab, Sara W. Lazara

Received 26 March 2010; received in revised form 9 August 2010; accepted 11 August 2010.
Abstract

Therapeutic interventions that incorporate training in mindfulness meditation have become increasingly popular, but to date little is known about neural mechanisms associated with these interventions. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), one of the most widely used mindfulness training programs, has been reported to produce positive effects on psychological well-being and to ameliorate symptoms of a number of disorders. Here, we report a controlled longitudinal study to investigate pre–post changes in brain gray matter concentration attributable to participation in an MBSR program. Anatomical magnetic resonance (MR) images from 16 healthy, meditation-naïve participants were obtained before and after they underwent the 8-week program. Changes in gray matter concentration were investigated using voxel-based morphometry, and compared with a waiting list control group of 17 individuals. Analyses in a priori regions of interest confirmed increases in gray matter concentration within the left hippocampus. Whole brain analyses identified increases in the posterior cingulate cortex, the temporo-parietal junction, and the cerebellum in the MBSR group compared with the controls. The results suggest that participation in MBSR is associated with changes in gray matter concentration in brain regions involved in learning and memory processes, emotion regulation, self-referential processing, and perspective taking.

You could think about thinking while thinking.

 

[Caminando]

What prayer might not actually do

In addition to Falc's interesting post above, there was a major study done on the effects of prayer on people who were ill.

The results showed that it had no effect whatsoever on those being prayed for.

It seems that prayer only helps the one who prays.
:arrow:

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative. I like to focus on what can be done, not what cannot. The latter list is way too long for me.

 

[Caminando]

:shock:

 

[Deleted member 3000]

:arrow:

 

[Caminando]

:wink:

 

[Deleted member 3000]

:!:

 

[hel&scott]

I think you guys have been thinking too much....

:evil: and have recently discovered smilies

Heaven help us when you learn how to txt!

 

[Caminando]

I think you guys have been thinking too much....

:evil: and have recently discovered smilies

Heaven help us when you learn how to txt!

I think you guys have not been thinking enough....
and have recently discovered smilies :evil:

Heaven help us when you learn how use them!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Sarah Palin uses emoticons extensively.

 

[Caminando]

Sarah Palin uses emoticons extensively.

You like the crosshair emoticon especially?

 

[Anniesantiago]

I'd love to read those studies on prayer not achieving any success, do you have a link?

My experience has been different, honestly. I get about 99% success.

I pretty much get what I ask for, every single time, whether I'm saying, "I need a tape recorder!" and I go out and it's sitting on top of the dumpster, or "I need $35 to pay the electric bill" and voila! Somebody buys something from my Etsy shop.

I even get prayers answer when I shouldn't be asking... like when I prayed my abusive father would drop dead when I was 17 and his plane crashed, killing my 15 year old brother also. That taught me to be careful what I ask for!

Perhaps it is a coincidence, but I prefer to believe that I'm manifesting my own reality by my wants, or "prayers" if you will.

Each prayer I carried to Santiago, whether for pagan or Christian friends, manifested.

Maybe I'm just lucky... :lol: :?: :wink:

 

[Caminando]

Hi AS

I have absolutely no doubt at all about the honesty of your experiences.

The study was cited in Christopher Hitchens' "God is not Great". I've just looked quickly but can't find the relevant page. Actually, there was reference to a negative effect on patients.

Later

Atlantic Books, 2007. p281.............."the largest study of prayer ever undertaken had discovered yet again that there was no correlation of any kind between "intercessory" prayer and the recovery of patients. (Well perhaps some correlation: patients who knew that prayers were being said for them had more post-operative complications than those who did not)....."

 

[emilene]

Well, I for one, agree with Annie. Every prayer I have ever offered to God has been answered. I think one of the most important things to remember, if you follow the teachings of the Bible, is that everything happens in God's own time, which of course is very different to our concept of time. So, that throws a very interesting light on these particular studies - they were performed/judged/based on a human concept of time. How can they possibly then expect the 'results' to be conclusive?

 

[Caminando]

Hi Em

Hitchens states that there have been many similar studies. Check him/them out.

I will only say about "time" that if you're ill you can't afford to wait around too long.

buen camino!

 

[lynnejohn]

This journalist's take on it is interesting, and more to the point, his article contains four fairly recent relevant references.

http://www.examiner.com/science-religio ... ory-prayer

lynne

 

[emilene]

Hi Em

Hitchens states that there have been many similar studies. Check him/them out.

I will only say about "time" that if you're ill you can't afford to wait around too long.

buen camino!

Hi Caminando

One could consider that perhaps 'time' spent on this earth has come to an end for such a person and that it is God's wish that the person moves on? Again - His time is not to be confused with our time...

Buen camino!

 

[Caminando]

Hi Em

Hitchens states that there have been many similar studies. Check him/them out.

I will only say about "time" that if you're ill you can't afford to wait around too long.

buen camino!

Hi Caminando

One could consider that perhaps 'time' spent on this earth has come to an end for such a person and that it is God's wish that the person moves on? Again - His time is not to be confused with our time...

Buen camino!

Hi Em
I find this is fatalism, or the Islamic "inshallah", and I cant sign up for that.

 

[Caminando]

This journalist's take on it is interesting, and more to the point, his article contains four fairly recent relevant references.

http://www.examiner.com/science-religio ... ory-prayer

lynne

Thanks LJ

This is a very useful link....

 

[emilene]

Hi again Caminando

I don't see this as fatalism but you're certainly entitled to your own opinion!