Prayer

Siang-Yang Tan, a psychologist that has been in the field for over 25 years wrote a journal on the Use of Prayer and Scripture in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. This journal “covers the appropriate and ethical use of prayer, including inner healing prayer, and Scripture in a Christian approach to cognitive-behavioral therapy” (Tan, 2007). In this journal he expounded on the methods he used through his experience to ethically provide prayer and scripture in a suitable fashion. He also went a little further to talk about how, “Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most empirically supported treatments (ESTs) available for a wide variety of psychological disorders” (Tan, 2007). Tan described in part on how the principles of prayer can be merged in the therapy process and in certain circumstances have value in the client’s needs through their receptiveness.

You may wonder what type of prayer arouses GOD 'S attention and get results. Effective prayer is direct communication with GOD. It acknowledges individual faith in a power higher than oneself who can help, guide and bring comfort. Many see prayer as weak, spineless and the last resort of out of touch people in over their heads. I beg to differ. Prayer is the very first tactic of powerful, resourceful people living in complete dependence on GOD.

According to Thomas Keating, “Contemplative prayer is a conversation initiated by God and leading, if we consent to a divine union. It is the way to pure faith.” Unlike with vocal prayers, in which we call out to God asking for things we need, with contemplative prayer our role is to allow God to be God. In other words, God directs Contemplative prayer, His grace opens our hearts and minds to the His presence inside us. Consequently, contemplative prayer begins with a centering prayer, which is a silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer. Keating noted that, “Centering prayer is an effort to renew the teaching of the Christian tradition of contemplative prayer.” Similar to other methods of prayer, the foundation of centering prayer is the Triune God. Keating noted that, “The practice is based on the wisdom saying of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.” The scripture reads, “But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you” (Matt. 6:6). Practicing contemplative prayer will strengthen our spiritual commitment and enrich our personal lives. I will discuss the origin, methods and benefits of contemplative prayer.

Prayer is an essential to any kind of religious faith. Over the years and years of believing in a higher power,

As Christians we partake in rituals that consist of prayer, baptism, and the eucharist. Prayer is used on several occasions and for conveying distinct concepts. Prayer can be used as a way

The Spindrift organization spent a decade performing laboratory experiments trying to determine which prayer strategy was most effective: directed prayer for a specific outcome, or non-directed prayer, having no specific outcome. Directed prayer participants tried to “direct” the process of prayer with having an outcome in mind. For example one may wish to rid a person of cancer, or recovering from a heart disease. Non-directed prayer, on the other hand, approach prayer with a more open-ended mind-set, in which no specific outcome was held in mind. Dossey considered that the Spindrift research experiments has given us much evidence to demonstrate that non-directed prayer works better than directing prayer for a specific outcome. The Spindrift researchers tried to grow mould on the surface of agar plates used routinely by bacteriologists. After stressing but not killing a patch of mould, directed prayer was used to encourage growth on one side of the plate while non-directed prayer was used on the other side of the divided glass surface. Directed prayer produced no results. Non-directed prayer produced multiplication of the mould into concentric growth rings. These and other experiments conducted by Spindrift give indications for the best prayer method to use in situations when we don 't know what should happen. When non-directed prayer is answered, the outcome is always in the direction

Not so long ago, a typical school day would begin with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. Today, a simple prayer is considered offensive and unconstitutional. A prayer is meant to be a conversation with God; a personal connection to a sovereign being of choice. I personally believe that prayer is beneficial. Prayer calms my mind and gives me the chance to thank God for all of his blessings. Granted, not everyone believes in the same God that I do. I believe most people would probably agree that there is some form of higher power that everyone has to answer to. One of the things that I love about being an American, are the freedoms that I have. I am free to worship the God I choose and to pray at anytime or any place that I choose.

Next, there are 2.18 billion Christians around the world. When talking about faith and healing for the Christian religion it occurs mystically, as the result of prayer for them, physical disease and sin are states of mind that could be corrected with prayers; but also they are given the option to choose if they want medical treatment but still some Christians would not accept medical care they prefer prayers. In the bible there are passages that have stories of Jesus curing people from illnesses, and Christians believe in those miracles.

Although, the method of combining prayer and scripture with CBT can be an effective approach, the author makes known there are some clients who will not receive it, even though several empirical studies have shown benefits. Tan’s goal is to provide inner healing for all clients that reach out for help.

Often times, healing and faith go directly hand in hand with one another. Every religious tradition has its own set of beliefs on treatment, healing and the general administration of medicine. While we take our understanding of healthcare and faith from the well-defined intersection of medicine and Christianity, there are broad variations in belief and practice that enter into the medical traditions and values of every religious denomination. The discussion here, which addresses elements of spirituality in healthcare treatment for adherents to the Sikh, Shinto and Buddhist faiths, proceeds from a Christian healthcare perspective.

Yang-Tan (2007) wrote an article introducing his theory using prayer and scripture to treat patients. Yang-Tan (2007) discuss two models the first, is called self-regulations which focus on recognition of mental events in the present moment and the second is involves adapting to openness and acceptance. Yang-Tang(2007) model combines prayer and scripture to help patience’s heal from their problems. The goal is to help patients to feel whole and experience healing through God. All patients sign an consent form to agree to this form of treatment.

you in prayer and people praying for you: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the

“Humans have always been victims of disease, awaiting the dread unknown of death. And we have placed everything possible in its path, incantations, prayers, and pleadings.” (Hogan 19) In modern societies they typically have monotheistic religions that focus on the importance of prayer. Prayer is used for many circumstances but is mainly used for personal connection with a higher power to fulfill their individualistic desires.

Praying for healing is something appreciative by others, just like now days at churches and other religious places. Teaching the people how

Having been a Christian for many years I thought that I had a fair knowledge of what it meant to pray. I was amazed and humbled by the idea that through Jesus’ restorative act on the cross I am able to come into God’s presence - and not only come but be welcomed and even longed for. I believed that prayer is a powerful tool to petition God , a vehicle to praise Him , and an instrument to increase our intimacy with Him . I understood that people pray in a variety of ways, based on the teaching they have received, their experience, and even their personality. Most commonly, I engaged in prayer as a conversation with God.