The Healing Power Of Prayer:
What It Is and What It Does

When it comes to most religions, the healing power of prayer is perceived as a given. Although we tend to think of prayer as a particularly Christian notion, this is not true. Prayer is an integral part of many different religions around the world. This is true for both the present day and the ancient past.

Prayer has always been a means of communication with a God or Gods. The ancient Greeks and Romans addressed their Gods in much the same manner, as did the children of Abraham and Moses. The purpose for these prayers was also similar. Prayers were a means through which an individual or group could talk to the God(s) and, in doing so, thank them or ask for something.

Over the centuries, the purpose of prayers has not changed substantially. The approach may differ, and each culture or group may use and perform prayers in different fashions. The purpose may also differ widely between individual and group routes. Moreover, the prayer may have no religion at all behind it. It may embrace a philosophical approach, or be used as a means of accessing the inner healing potential of the self.

What is Prayer?

Prayer is commonly understood as making a request of the deities. It may be the gods, a single deity or any other being we worship. The purpose for such an action will vary. It can also take many forms. In my understanding and experience, prayer is a connection and communication, without any request. It is a reciprocal mirroring between the human and the divine. I experienced that in this case the healing power of prayer is huge.

Prayer Forms

Prayer depends upon whom the person making the request is, or the format of the religion or group it represents. In Christianity, a prayer will address Jesus Christ and/or God. The power of healing will then come "down" from these divine beings. The one seeking healing may or may not be the one praying. You may want to ask an expert healer to pray and work with you. 

Praying can also be a group effort – a religious practice, perhaps. The praying may also be led by or come from a minister. Faith healing, for example, may rely on a preacher to act as a medium.

In Islam, we find a similar approach. Although the act of prayer falls under specific guidelines, there are both individual and group prayers to the deity. In the practice, one can address God directly. In doing so, an individual can request help for a variety of issues, including healing.

In Buddhist and other similar religions, a prayer is not the same. It's not an action addressing the Gods. It's done in combination with another practice – that of meditation. In many forms of Buddhism, prayer is not a primary action. It's not a means of communicating directly with the Gods.

One common prayer is to the Medicine Buddha:

"I beseech you, compassionate Medicine Guru, holding in your right hand the king of medicines, symbolizing your vow to help all pitiful sentient beings plagued by the four hundred and twenty-four diseases, please grant me your blessings.

"I beseech you, compassionate Medicine Guru, holding in your left hand a bowl of nectar, symbolizing your vow to give the glorious undying nectar – of the Dharma – which eliminates the degenerations of old age, sickness and death, please grant me your blessings."

Using the Healing Power of Prayer

How we use prayer depends upon any number of factors. Some of us will use it on a regular basis. It's our way of communicating with the unknown. We may also use it rarely, turning to it only in crisis. In such instances, we rely on the healing power of prayer to help us help ourselves, or those who are ill, recover.

No matter what the religion or philosophy, prayer is not the end. It's a means through which we all try to accomplish a specific goal. This might be, for example, the lofty goal of enlightenment. Or it may be the desire to make ourselves or someone else whole again. The possibilities are infinite.

Do you want to give more healing power to your prayers ? Learn how my services can help you.

Do you have questions ? Please contact me. I'll be happy to help.

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