It seems like science is catching up to the power of prayer and meditation, realizing the power that both have to effect our everyday lives and our overall health. The following article draws a parallel between prayer and meditation and is a good primer to help the understanding that the two are not so dissimilar.
There is strong scientific evidence indicating that faith and prayer may help us with experiencing greater health physically, mentally and psychologically. Many studies have been published in both medical and psychological journals supporting the positive effects of prayer and faith. But some of the studies related to prayer have mixed results depending on the type of prayer, the demographic and the methods and means its effects were being measured. So, it is important to follow these studies with a critical mind to be able to see why they came up with their conclusions. But overall most conclusions are supportive of the positive influences of prayer and faith on human health and functioning.
Physician and researcher Larry Dossey, M. D., in his book "Prayer is Good Medicine," discusses how praying for oneself and others can have a scientifically measurable healing effect on illness and trauma.
When it comes to the types of prayer, there are different types. For the major religions like Christianity, Judaism and Islam, prayer is more focused on something "outside of the self," so they pray to God. But the more mystical traditions of these religions like Gnosticism, Kabbalism and Sufism, it seems like they are more focused on the "inside of the self" aspect of the prayer, believing that we all have a divinity inside of us. And then there are Eastern traditions like Buddhism and Hinduism, which focus on mediation rather than prayer.
Prayer is really a form of meditation that may very well bring about a positive change in your life. Whatever you are more comfortable with is what you should be doing. It is a life choice that has it roots in our childhood brought on by family and societal influences. There is no right and wrong when it comes to spirituality there is only doing.
