By Syndi Victor
When we face a major crisis in our lives, what is the first thing that we do? What do we do when we’re not facing a life-threatening problem? What if we’re struggling at work, having trouble communicating with our spouse, or barely making rent? These are everyday issues that people are dealing with, but our response to those issues differs from how we respond in moments of extreme difficulty. Most of us talk to a trusted friend or family member. Some of us meditate while others seek therapy. Others turn to prayer to get relief or solutions to their situation.
May I suggest that when we face problems, big or small, our immediate response, our first defense against all of life’s hardships, should be prayer! Prayer in the Hebrew Bible is an evolving means of interacting with the Divine, with God, most frequently through a spontaneous, individual, unorganized form of petitioning and gratitude.
The National Review’s article, “What Prayer is Good For-and the Evidence for It,” written by Clay Routledge in April 2018, says,
“A number of studies suggest that prayer is positively associated with well-being and physical health. … A nationwide survey of older adults found that the negative effects of financial problems on health were significantly reduced among those who regularly prayed for others. Religious practices such as prayer also contribute to perceptions of meaning in life, which promote psychological well-being. The benefits of prayer extend to social bonds. A willingness to compromise and make personal sacrifices is critical to healthy close relationships. Married couples who are happy to sacrifice for each other experience less marital distress. More broadly, sacrifice promotes trust, which strengthens relationships. Researchers found that prayer helps promote the value of sacrifice as well as the strength of a relationship. For most believers, prayer isn’t a substitute for data-based solutions. It is a personal resource that complements and may even help facilitate other thoughtful action.”
Believers, especially Judeo-Christian persuasion, are convinced that continual communication with God keeps the joy in their hearts, peace in their minds, and love overflowing for others. The Pew Research Center’s Religious Landscape Study found that over 50 percent of Americans pray daily. Even 20 percent of Americans not religiously affiliated also pray daily, and additionally, another 18 percent pray weekly or monthly.
Other studies show that prayer has both psychological and social benefits for people. Contrary to some thinking, it is not a diversion, distraction, or replacement for action. Instead, prayer seems to function in most instances to focus the mind, control negative and distressing emotional responses, and aid performance. Integrating prayer into one’s daily life can change our outlook on the storms of life and challenge us to approach each situation with an attitude of grace and victory.
