The Power of Prayer
by Sha LéWilante
Does Prayer Make a Difference?
We often use the term ‘prayer’ to apply to a desired outcome and many aspects of our daily lives. We pray:
…that we get a good result on an exam.
…that there is no traffic for our journey.
…that there is no traffic for our journey.
…the doctor tells us something positive about our health.
…it doesn’t rain when we forget our umbrella.
…for the victims of the latest natural disaster.
…for our family and friends.
You may even pray that someone trips and falls, or worse, drops dead.
One look at social media, and we see that there is an abundance of ‘prayer.’ People pray that others go to certain places and do certain things. Not every desired outcome is a nice, acceptable, or even possible thing.
Is There a Best Way to Pray?
A personal definition of prayer is that it is an intentional focus on an outcome for a specific situation, person, or thing. Or, an articulation of thought for an outcome, such as forgiveness or gratitude.
There is no one way to pray. We practice prayer in solitude or among many, indoors or out, silently or out loud, hands clasped or not, head bowed or not, kneeling, standing or sitting, eyes opened or closed. The practice is as diverse as is the direction to which or to whom we direct it.
For some, a deity or a saint is the focus of their prayer. It could be a master or a statue, a universal divine energy, or all three aspects of a holy trinity. Some chant words to exemplify prayer, although it is not to anyone or anything.
More about the Practice of Prayer
We can separate the practice of prayer from the practice of religion, simply because of the practice itself. Prayer is prayer, whatever way you do it. If you focus your attention on a specific desired outcome and ‘pray’ that the outcome is realized, then you have prayed. Whether you are in a Synagogue, a Church, the forest, a field, on a bus, in your car, or a living room. You have prayed.
This diversity is reflected, however, in human prejudices about how other people pray and to what or whom they pray. Steeped in ego, people want to believe that they are praying correctly. That they are doing it right. That their God is the right God. And this ego will judge others and deem them as praying wrongly.
Focus on the Common Power of Prayer
If the Jew prays for the ending of starvation, the Catholic prays for souls of the dead, the atheist prays for understanding, the Hindu prays for unity, the Muslim prays for the end of war, the Buddhist prays for equality, or the Spiritualist Medium prays for world peace, they all have one thing in common: Prayer. Separate from their belief system, they share a common understanding and belief that if they focus their attention onto a desired outcome, that they are contributing to realizing that outcome. This is the power of prayer.
Dr. Koenig, Director of Duke’s Centre for Spirituality, Theology and Health, says that a study published in the Southern Medical Journal illustrated that prayer has a remarkable effect on patients with hearing and visual deficiencies. Following prayer sessions, Dr. Koenig also said, “They showed significant improvements based on audio and visual tests.”
Measuring the Desired Outcome – Is It Possible?
There is still some question about the efficacy of prayer and if the outcomes can be measured. This is the same as measuring the effects of distance healing, as it requires the same focus of intent. Some may say that it is a matter of perspective and that the outcome may be subjective.
The practice of prayer is powerful, no matter our chosen religion. Would we turn down prayer from the Evangelist as we lay in pain on our deathbed, because we are a Sikh? You may do so. It is widely known that a significant number of people turn down medical treatment from certain races. People refuse to be tended by a nurse if he or she is of a particular ethnicity, and will even shun beneficial prayers if one is not of the same faith or belief.
All the Prayerful Possibilities
Right now, this very moment, if we as a collective ‘world being’ chose a common focus, for instance, a resolution to a crisis in any part of the planet, prayerful people would go to their own chosen ‘corners’ and begin their devotional. They would dedicate time to focus on the desired outcome. Whatever way each person decides to do it, this focus of intention is defined as prayer.
Meditation can often be prayer; however, its practice is usually to clear the mind of its own thoughts. This clearing is different from intentional prayer.
The world may choose to continue to distract itself with the nuances of humanity. We may judge each other for our chosen beliefs. However, prayer has been proven to help in many ways. It may not always require faith, as even the atheist often prays unknowingly when he wishes someone luck, or a happy birthday. But, it does require hope and the charity to spend the time to do so for the benefit of yourself and others.
About the Author
Sha is a Counselor, Hypnotherapist, Writer, and Energy Healer. She has given talks on alternative therapies treating trauma, anxiety states, and most psychosomatic illnesses, and holds workshops on spiritual development, past life regression, and crystal healing. Sha brings the uniqueness of the best of both worlds in having practical and clinical training coupled with the ethereal-based spiritual working narrative, which contributes an exploratory perspective. Find out more at www.ninepeachestherapies.com or read her blog at https://ninepeachestherapies.wordpress.com
