The power of Prayer

Prayer, the ultimate conversation with the supreme One. Many a times we presume it to be a monologue but forget that the listener on the other end is the creator, preserver, destroyer, saviour, and guardian of all the conversations you ever had.

During desperate times your final comfort has always been that picture the majestic, triumphant God; the bestower of goodness. When you fall sick, many believe that the best cure after medicine (and probably before) is prayer. The firm belief that the Almighty One, not someone, is out there watching over every step of yours is of unshakeable intensity. Prayer is the essence of the soul. It is the source of ultimate power and relief. No other method can be substituted instead of prayer because it brings the mind into direct connection with the pulse of life, and fortifies the sick person, by giving the necessary support to an upset mind. And despite the advancement made in the fields of science, technology and medicine, the relief provided by prayer is too pronounced to be ignored. And incredible.

Though the initial glance into this thought pretends to ignore rationality, the emotional support that a prayer gives to a sick person cannot be overlooked. And the belief that God will fight your battle along with you eventually making you victorious is relieving and comforting to even the most pessimistic person around. Many believe that the psychological benefits of prayer may help decrease tension and anxiety, encourage a more optimistic outlook, and intensify the will to live in a sick person. It has also been found that if a person knows that he or she has a lot of people praying for him or her; it provides a very positive and pleasant feeling to the person, thus raising his or her morale, thus leading to recovery. Studies have shown that prayer can reduce physical strain, regardless of the god(s) the devotee prays to, and this may be true due to many reasons. In fact, prayer can help in recovery, not due to divine impact but due to psychological and physical effects on the human mind and body.

The importance of prayer in healing diseases can be understood by the practices followed in various religions. The most popular one is that of undertaking vows to make pilgrimages to divine shrines and pilgrim centres. Many devotees tonsure their heads, walk barefoot along the arduous route to the pilgrim centres, offer cash and kind, pray to various saints etc. In India, the Hindu community offers various prayers for recovery from diseases by conducting pujas and chanting mantras. In Islam, Sufis use knowledge of prayers and specific verses of the Quran in healing. This is also called as the science of Tawidh (Taweez). Christians too, undertake pilgrimages and pray to patron saints.

However, in a more sensible approach, prayer works well along with the most suitable medical treatment. Medical aid should not be ignored while resorting to prayer and neither should prayer be given a backseat in treating a diseased person. Prayer and medical science when blend together, make a wonderful combination that can provide complete healing to the sick. This healing is not just restricted to physical terms but also include emotional and spiritual aspects. The person develops an optimistic approach to life and accepts its beauty.  The true spirit of the prayer must not be lost while treating the sick. It should always provide solace and the patient has to be comfortable.  

Yet, the biggest strength in a prayer is that one can open his or her heart out to God. All sorrows and joys of the person are submitted to God with the belief that he or she will be cured. When this confidence is combined with medical treatments the morale of the patient is uplifted and recovery begins not from the doctor but from the patient’s positive approach to life. Once the patient is cured, prayer maintains an aura of vigour and verve.

The strong faith in the guarding strength of God can not only provide relief, but it can also cure...A certain belief, that, God creates a protective fortress around you can actually initiate healing, which, in a way, can be considered spiritual and yet the results can be physical, emotional and most importantly, psychological. With cure begins positivity and this positivity enhances the mindset of the patient with hopes for a healthy and glowing future.

Healing may come from the mind, but only through God.

- Riya, Student Intern, Parihara.com