Prayer

In Philippians 4:6, Paul tells us this: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (NIV) The Bible mentions prayer many times, and Jesus himself, though he was God, prayed to his Father in Heaven.  If prayer was important for Jesus, it should certainly be important to us.

Prayer has also been the subject of many studies.  Psychology Today tells us that prayer has a positive effect on mental health, including reducing symptoms of depression and improving satisfaction, self-esteem, and positive emotions in general.1 Other studies have shown that consistent prayer has a physical effect on your body and brain as evidenced on an MRI.  Where negative thinking can damage your brain, prayer can actually heal that damage. Dr. Caroline Leaf found that 12 minutes of prayer every day for 8 weeks can have an impact on the brain that can be measured on a brain scan!  The part of the brain most affected is the part associated with compassion, sensitivity and social interaction.2   Clearly, the simple act of praying can have a profound impact on your life.

An interesting study conducted at Baylor University looked at how your beliefs about God impact your mental health. 

“Researchers from Baylor University found that people who pray to a loving and protective God are less likely to experience anxiety-related disorders — worry,
fear, self-consciousness, social anxiety and obsessive compulsive behavior —
compared to people who pray but don’t really expect to receive any comfort or protection from God.”3 

Many people have a skewed image of God.  The truth is that many see their Heavenly Father in the same way they see their earthly father.  If their father was loving, they see God as loving. But if their father was distant, abusive, or overly critical, they will view God in that same way.  In all cases, our earthly fathers will fail us at some point in time. If you struggle with your image of God, consider these verses:

For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,
Do not fear; I will help you. 

Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles,
so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be
called children of God! And that is what we are! 

1 John 3:1a (NIV)

Although the research on the impact of prayer on the brain, body, and mental health is fascinating, there is another very important reason why prayer should be a regular part of any therapeutic process.  Prayer is talking directly to the King of the universe!  He created the world, and he created you.  He knows every struggle, every emotion, every fear and every pain that you carry.  He wants to hear from you, so that he can heal you.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 

1 John 5:14 (NIV)

I know many who say that God simply doesn’t answer their prayers, so they have stopped trying.  In reality, it may be that God has answered their prayers but just not in the way that they wanted.  God answers prayers in one of three ways:  yes, no, or not yet. 

But a second possibility is that the person is not right with God.  If you don’t have a relationship with God, are purposely living in a way that is contrary to the Bible, are holding a grudge against someone, or you are praying in a selfish manner, God may simply not answer.  He still hears your prayers, but you need to confess any sin and restore your relationship with him. 

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray
and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 

2 Chronicles 7:19 (NIV)

Whether you are struggling today, or things are going well, consider these prayer suggestions:

  1.  Set aside a time to pray and meditate on God’s Word every day.  Find a time and a place that you will be uninterrupted and focus on building your relationship with your Heavenly Father.

  2. Consider your image of God.  Are you comparing him to your earthly father?  Start your prayer by acknowledging God’s goodness, love, and faithfulness.  Thank him for hearing you, loving you, and caring for you.

  3. Don’t rely on prayers that someone else wrote for you.  God wants a relationship from you – not a performance.  Be real and be honest.  He already knows what you’re thinking, so be honest about your feelings. 

  4. Honestly examine your life.  Are you living according to Biblical standards, or have you bought into a philosophy of compromise?  God is outside of time.  He knew (and predicted) the events of our current age when he wrote the Bible, making it just as relevant today as it was when it was originally penned.  If you are living outside of God’s will, confess and repent.  Ask God to help you to move past the sin and restore your relationship with him. (For more on this topic, please read my article “Your Command”.  https://songofvictory.com/why-jesus/your-command/)

  5. Ask God to show you any unconfessed sin, grudges, unforgiveness toward others.  Forgive those you need to forgive, and ask forgiveness for your own sin. (For more on the topic of forgiveness, please see my article “To Be Like You”.  https://songofvictory.com/why-jesus/to-be-like-you/)

  6. Thank God for all that he has done.  Whenever he answers a prayer, write it down.  Then, when you are in a time when it feels that you simply aren’t hearing from God, (and you will have those times), you can be reassured that he does hear you. 

  7. Pray for others and treat others well.  If you are mistreating others, God will not answer your prayers.  Remember that we are to love others as ourselves.  This is how we show our love to God.

  8. Thank God for what he is going to do with the situation.  His answer may not be the one that you wanted, but it will be the best answer for you.  Trust him to work all things for good in your life. 

  9. Keep a prayer journal.  Write down prayer requests from others as well as things that you specifically want to tell God.  Make sure to write down those answered prayers as well!

  10. Don’t give up!  Remember that God’s answer may be “yes”, “no”, or “not yet.” 

Resources

“How Prayer Changes the Brain and the Body” by Megan Kelly.

“4 Things That Will Hinder Your Prayers” by Greg Laurie. 

Songs of Victory

Citations

  1. “Prayer and Mental Health” by Rob Whitley, Ph.D. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/talking-about-men/201912/prayer-and-mental-health
  2. “How Prayer Changes the Brain and the Body” by Megan Kelly. https://renewingallthings.com/how-prayer-changes-the-brain-and-body/
  3. “New Study Examines the Effects of Prayer on Mental Health” by Traci Pedersen.  https://psychcentral.com/blog/new-study-examines-the-effects-of-prayer-on-mental-health/

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