The Art of Energy and Prayer

By Ojanae Ellison

For centuries energy and prayer have been known partners--you can’t have one without the other. Even people who don’t believe in a higher power believe in energy, and those who believe in a higher power, no matter what that is, believe that their prayers are answered in the form of positive energy.

According to the website for Kauai’s Hindu Monastery Hindus pray to, “A one, all-pervasive Supreme Being who is both immanent and transcendent, both Creator and Unmanifest Reality.”

On their website, The Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, an organization which strives to accurately explain the full diversity of religious beliefs, world views, and systems of morality, ethics and values, state that Buddhists believe their prayers go to Buddha, and Muslims pray to Allah for all things in their life.
These religions are just some of many that believe in praying to a higher power about life situations.

Although these prayers are not answered immediately, the relief felt in releasing some worries has instant effects. In an article published in the Huffington Post, journalist Richard Schiffman says, “A wide variety of spiritual practices have been shown to help alleviate the stress levels, which are one of the major risk factors for disease.”

According to a 2013 Pew Research Poll done for Psychology Today, people who pray “are nicer and more forgiving, have better self-control, deal better with stress and trust easier.” This is because, in praying, the body releases stress and worries and allows for a person to be at ease. When people are at ease, they are happier. Happy people make other people happy.

Those who do not believe in a higher power can still benefit from the positive energy and effects of prayer without going against their belief systems. Research shows that mediation has the same effect as prayer.

Dr. Herbert Benson, a cardiovascular specialist at Harvard Medical School and a pioneer in the field of mind/ body medicine discovered what he calls, “the relaxation response,” which occurs during periods of prayer and meditation. At such times, the body’s metabolism decreases, the heart rate slows, blood pressure goes down, and our breath becomes calmer and more regular.” [1]

Through prayer and meditation, people release energy into the universe. This energy affects others. Some call it karma, and other says what goes around comes around. It simply means that whatever is put out into the universe will return. Whether through prayer or meditation, put out the type of energy that you would like to receive back. As little as five minutes of prayer or meditation in the morning or evening or evening may seem like a little thing, but it can make a big difference.

[1] “Why People Who Pray Are Healthier Than Those Who Don’t” by

Richard Schiffman

Wednesday, August 17, 2016