This week’s Torah passage, Ekev, challenges us to serve God “with all our hearts” (Deuteronomy 11:13). The Talmud explains that this “service of the heart” refers to prayer. From this the requirement for Jews to pray every day is derived. We can take the opportunity to learn a little more about prayer.
A 2001 study of a group of 150 heart patients at Duke University Medical Centre uncovered some extraordinary results. The patients, all of whom received postoperative therapy, were divided into two subgroups – one subgroup prayed for their well-being, the other subgroup did not. The results showed that the subgroup that was prayed for had significantly better treatment outcomes than the group that only received regular treatment.
Most notably, the study was double-blind – neither the researchers nor the participants knew about the prayers. And it wasn’t a one-off event either. A comparable double-blind study conducted in the Corona Ward at San Francisco General Hospital showed very similar results.
Originally, prayer...
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One response to “Prayer has a concrete medical effect”
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Yes, prayer is a work of the heart. Having a heart to heart with a loved one assures both of the relationship. Mankind need a clean heart and a renewed spirit (Ps 51:10) to effectively have the best heart to heart times with God. Receiving God’s word in the right way has a medicinal effect on the body. (Prv 4:20-23) The salvation of God is all about giving mankind a new heart so they can truly “know the Lord”. (Jer 31:33,34)
Unsaved souls are naturally stubborn and hard hearted (Ex 32:9), so they find the heavens become like brass when they pray. (Lev 26:19) Saved souls benefit from the indwelling life and Spirit of Messiah Yeshua who develops them to be at one with the Lord in body, mind and spirit. (Phil 2:5; John 17:22; John 16:13) Prayer, praise and practice all develop accordingly as we grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Pet 3:18)