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Prayer Builds Resilience

“The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.” ---Soren Kierkegaard

  My Doctorate of Ministry in Science and Theology final project paper is entitled:   “A Study of the Impact of Two Forms of  Prayer Practices on Resilience.” I am so grateful for all the people in our church and community who participated in the prayer studies and faithfully supported me during this program! In the process of designing and writing up the results of this study, I learned much more about the importance of prayer for resilience development. Resilience is basically defined as: the ability to overcome stress, adapt to change, and recover from adversity.             

 

The Bible is full of scriptures that prescribe guidance for living a faithful, healthy and abundant life.  “Pray without ceasing” (1Thess. 5:17) is a well-known scripture passage that inspires the inclusion of prayer into daily living. Yet, many people are not aware that this guidance to pray is beneficial for more than one’s spiritual wellbeing. Prayer has many physical and emotional wellbeing benefits including the ability to enhance resilience.

 

The Mayo Clinic’s website page on “Resilience: Building Skills to Endure Hardship,” lists the prescription to pray daily as important for enhancing wellbeing and resilience as other generally accepted health prescriptions such as a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercise.                                                                                        

 

So how do we pray in a way that builds resilience? The answer is: often. How you pray isn’t as important as the fact that you pray often. Prayer as a way of being in touch with God increases your awareness of God’s presence.

My prayer study showed that the contemplative way of prayer called, “Centering prayer.” is a good way to enhance resilience. To pray in this way involves simple silent “resting in God,” for 20 minutes each day. This form of prayer showed the highest impact on enhancing resilience in my two prayer studies.

Mahatma Gandhi would not be surprised by this. He believed that, "prayer is the very soul and essence of religion, and therefore prayer must be the very core of the life of all people.”

Ruth Burrow agrees with Gandhi in her lovely book entitled: Essence of Prayer. She said, “Prayer is essentially God's work. Our part is to give time, do our best to keep attention, surrender ourselves as best we can. Then we can be sure that God works. Faith does not ask for signs, or tokens.” So trust in God that when you pray you are heard; God is present in your joys and in your sorrows and ready to give you “rest” enabling you to become more resilient.

         Jesus was calling us to pray when he said, “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11: 28)

(For more information on Building Resilience, see: The Mayo Clinic, “Resilience: Build Skills To Endure Hardship,” www.mayoclinic.com/health/resilience/MH00078/NSECTIONGROUP=2)  

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