‘The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.’ James 5:16 NLT
Seven more thoughts to consider:
(1) When it comes to praying and getting involved in church, a University of Michigan study found that it reduced the emotional toll of financial stress.
(2) Another study of aged people, reported that following heart surgery, private prayer could improve their overall state of well–being and make them feel less anxious.
(3) A National Survey of Children’s Health confirms that kids who get involved in church have higher educational expectations and do better in maths and reading. And kids who went to church as little as once a month are less likely to repeat a year in school.
(4) Psychiatric Services journal cites several studies showing how positive religious beliefs play an important role in recovery from alcohol and/or drug abuse, and greatly reduce the rate of recidivism [becoming re–addicted].
(5) When researchers at Yale School of Medicine studied 2000 people over 65, they found that the ones who attended church were less likely to lose their mental health in future years.
(6) Anger greatly increase your stress reaction, and raises your blood pressure. Ohio State University studies confirm that praying for the person you’re angry with can calm your anger and grow positive emotions like compassion, which improves your overall health.
(7) And Sociological Quarterly reports that youth who find meaning and importance in their faith have better relationships with their parents, which leads to a more satisfying experience for the whole family.
SoulFood: Acts 12–13, Matt 27:27–32, Ps 14, Pro 16:6–7
Renungan Hari Ini [The Word for Today] is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©