The Power of Prayer

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