Over the years, hundreds of studies
have been done on the power of prayer. Some have been informal, such
as pastors keeping track in prayer diaries. Others have been rather
clinical and have been published in professional journals. Either
way, prayer is one way our heavenly Father has given us with which to
communicate with Him. Messiah's disciples who were life-long
Israelites and thus very aware of the concept of prayer, asked
Messiah if He would teach them to pray. Rather than teaching them
new, in-depth concepts, Messiah taught them to pray for the simple
things: today's food, forgiveness of sin, strength for face today's
temptations and so forth. So it is fitting that when we are in pain,
when our marriages are falling apart, when we're consumed with
concern over financial affairs that we pray. Research shows that it
is just those things for which prayer is beneficial.
In the study published in Arthritis
and Rheumatism published in
December 1989, it was demonstrated that of those who prayed for pain
relief, the majority received that pain relief; prayer was more
effective than dietary changes, massage, swimming, exercise, bed rest
and relaxation techniques. Other studies have shown that prayer is
helpful in lowering pain in back injuries, nerve disorders, traumatic
injury and other pain scenarios. Those who engage in prayer have had
their lives made more livable, by the grace of YHVH.
First
appearing in the American Health
periodical and later in his book, Timeless Healing,
Dr. Herbert Benson described how cardiac patients could reduce their
blood pressure and angina episodes. He also went on to document how
the test subjects had reduced risk of heart attacks, strokes and
other stress related illnesses.
In
the Archives of Internal Medicine,
November 1985, Dr. Richard Smith and associates documented immune
system response and how it responded to prayer. When prayer was part
of the subjects' testing, the immune system response skyrocketed and
the activity of the viral allergens were minimalized.
So,
I said all this to say: prayer works. It works for provision, for
healing, for serenity in the midst of life's storms. Prayer works.
One
of the classic prayers in Judaism is “Mi shebeirakh.”
Immortalized in song by Debbie Friedman, the ancient words from
centuries long gone have been used across the generations to plead
for health and healing. Read the words and let them connect with your
spirit:
May
the One who blessed our forefathers, Avraham, Yitzchak and Ya'akov;
Moshe, Aharon, David and Shlomo and our fore-mothers, Sarah, Rivkah,
Rakhel and Leah, May the One bless and heal this (person's
name) daughter / son of
(mother's name) because we will contribute to charity on his / her
behalf. In response to this, may the Holy One, Blessed is He,
compassionately help him / her to recover, to heal him / her, to
strengthen him/her and to revive him / her. And may Elohim send him /
her a speedy return to wholeness from heaven for all his / her organs
and blood vessels, among the other ailing people of Israel a renewal
of spirit and of body swiftly and soon. Let us respond: Amein.
Wait
a cotton-picking minute!!! Do I mean that you should try to bribe
YHVH by giving to charity? Of course not! It is right and proper to
thank YHVH for what He has done and for what He will do. It is right
to imitate the mercy we wish to receive from YHVH by being merciful
to those who are less fortunate than ourselves. YHVH cannot be
bought. But we can, in the tradition of our ancestors who brought
their gifts to the Temple, demonstrate the generosity that our
Messiah encouraged when He told us to have a 'good eye'. The
generosity you demonstrate unleashes positive thoughts, happy,
uplifting energy that sets in motion a positive (healing) atmosphere.
So
as we move forward in time towards the day when the need for healing
will be a thing of the past, let us support each other, agree with
each other in prayer that we will be our most vibrant, healthy
selves, that our spirits and bodies will function according to our
Father's design and we will, in unity and strength, occupy until
Messiah comes, b'shem Y'shua.
Shalom
b'shem Sar Shalom / Peace in the Name of the Prince of Peace,
yocheved
