47 Health Benefits of Prayer - Part 2

By Andrew Newberg

Religious beliefs and activities can have a profound impact on our mental and physical well being by reducing stress, improving resistance to diseases, enhancing memory and mental function, and helping us to lead longer lives.

Many studies have looked at how health and well-being are influenced by having spiritual beliefs, praying, and attending religious services, and these have found a wide range of benefits. The Mind Health Report compiled a summary of these benefits.

3. Living a Longer Life

Numerous studies have found that people who are religious are likely to live a longer life. For example, an analysis of 42 studies with a total of more than 125,000 people found that in addition to private prayer, attending religious services, and being involved in other church activities predicted a longer and healthier lifespan.

SOURCE: Health Psychology

7. Reducing Financial Strain

A study of more than 800 older people found that faith and attendance at religious services offset the emotional toll of financial strain. Researchers at the University of Michigan found that prayer increases gratitude which, in turn, reduces the negative impact of financial difficulties.

SOURCE: The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion

9. Increasing Happiness and Financial Satisfaction

A University of South Florida study of 1,413 adults found that those who are the most religious, in terms of prayer with a positive focus, attendance at church services, and using their faith to deal with day-to-day problems in a positive way, are happier and more satisfied with their financial situation.

SOURCE: Journal of Religion and Health

13. Protecting Against Stress

When faced with stressful events, older people with strong personal religious beliefs do not experience significantly elevated blood pressure, according to a study at Utah State University. Their reaction is much like that of people who are 30 or 40 years younger. Other research found that prayer which fosters compassion and a loving attitude reduces a harmful stress response in the brain.

SOURCE: Annals of Behavioral Medicine 

-- Full text of article: 47 Health Benefits of Prayer (12MB)

--Andrew Newberg is a founder of neurotheology, the study of the relationship between spiritual phenomena and the human brain.