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Prayer




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This article is from the Alternative Medicine Therapies guide.

Prayer

Prayer is an address to an entity thought to be greater than oneself (the word "prayer" comes from the Latin precarius, which means "obtained by begging"). The practice is rooted in the belief that there is a power larger and wiser than our human selves that can influence our lives.

Prayer is probably as old as mankind and is part of virtually every religion in the world. However, although it is often linked to religion, prayer can be practiced outside the realm of a specific religion. Not surprisingly, many people feel a deep sense of calm after praying. Like meditation, prayer has been found to promote a feeling of relaxation that is conducive to both mental and physical health.

Prayer can be expressed out loud or in thought, alone or in a group. It typically consists of praise, thanksgiving, a request, or a confession. Most types of prayer can be divided into four categories: meditative prayer; ritualistic prayer; petitionary prayer (the most common form in the U.S.); and conversational prayer.

  • Meditative prayer focuses on a particular topic, word, sound, or phrase in order to induce a state of relaxation. It may also create a receptive state in which one is able to hear God.
  • Ritualistic prayer involves reciting texts that have been learned as part of a particular religious tradition or training.
  • Petitionary prayer consists of addressing a divine being directly to request something, such as guidance or physical healing for oneself or another person (the latter is known as intercessory prayer, and is a form of what is known in alternative medicine as non-local or distant healing).
  • Conversational prayer involves speaking on an very personal level with God about feelings, thoughts, and needs.
  • Today polls show that most Americans believe that faith and prayer can benefit health. In response, more than 60 medical schools are now teaching courses on religious and spiritual issues, and many hospitals and clinics have set up centers for spirituality and healing.

     

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