|
|

This is only a preview of the paper Click here to register and get the full text. Existing members click here to login
|
|
|
... What better way to use that promise, than to petition for healing? According to the Bible, prayer plays a major role in healing. But what effect, if any, does prayer have in the healing of medical conditions, based on scientific evidence? There are many scriptures in the New Testament that talk about prayer, and healing was one of the main aspects of Jesus’ ministry.
Prayer is our way of communication with God and a way for us to hear from him. ... The first time we encounter prayer in the New Testament is in Matthew chapter six. Jesus teaches us many things in this chapter about prayer. ... We are then given a “formula” for prayer in general, in what we have come to call “The Lord’s Prayer. ... This formula is given to us so that we may be reminded with every prayer, who we are, and who God is.
When we look at that formula for prayer, there doesn’t appear to be any direct information about healing, but James 5:15 (Bible (1989) LAB New Revised Standard Version) tells us “The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up.” So we have been told that it is appropriate and worthwhile to pray for healing. We have examples of Jesus healing many individuals in the New Testament. ... ” This tells us that Jesus meant for the works that he was performing, such as healing, to continue, even when his physical body had left earth. ... Would God tell us to do something, like pray for healing, if it were not possible?
We’ve been given a formula for prayer in general, but is there a formula specific to healing? ... Matthew 14:35 & 36 (Bible (1989) LAB New Revised Standard Version) shows us that there is no ritual for healing, but that faith is required “…brought all who were sick to him, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed. ... There was no prayer demonstrated here that we see, but I’m sure many did pray, “let me get close to him” or “let me find him, that I might be healed.” There doesn’t appear to be a set ritual for healing, it has happened in many ways. ... Jesus didn’t even have to take an active part in the healing. ... Sometimes Jesus performed healing through a procedure. ... ”
So we’ve looked at prayer and healing individually, but now let’s look at the two together, and the original question of healing in regard to scientific proof. ... Of this 64%, the most common CAM therapy was the use of spiritual healing / prayer / blessing. ... This study shows us that primarily, prayer is used significantly by families of children with serious medical conditions and secondarily that doctors are prescribing this form of care.
In an article by Kalb, et al (2003), it was discovered that more and more Americans are seeking prayer from doctors. ... Finally, the fourth group’s information is sent to a family in Jerusalem, who takes the prayer requests, received via internet, to the Wailing Wall for prayer. ... In the groups that received prayer, 50% – 100% of the patients in these groups had fewer side effects than those patients who received no official prayer. ... You take absolutely the best high-tech you know how to use as a medical professional and incorporate it in the healing space that includes the whole human being. ... Krucoff’s study has not shown overwhelming results in favor of prayer.
Approximate Word count = 2906 Approximate Pages = 11.6 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
|
|
|
|
|